distance

The Sailor's Word-Book

The run which a ship has made upon the log-board. In speaking of double stars, it is the space separating the centres of the two stars, expressed in seconds of arc. (See lunar distances.)

Related Words

  • Distance

    ·noun Remoteness of place; a remote place. II. Distance ·vt To place at a distance or remotely. II...

    Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

  • angular distance

    This term, when applied to celestial bodies, implies that the sun and moon, or moon and stars, are w...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • curtate distance

    An astronomical term, denoting the distance of a body from the sun or earth projected upon the eclip...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • mean distance

    The average distance of a planet from the sun; it is equal to half the longer axis of the ellipse, a...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • polar distance

    The complement of the declination. The angular distance of a heavenly body from one of the poles, co...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • zenith-distance

    The angular distance of any celestial object from the zenith at the time of observation. In navigati...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • breaking-plate distance

    The point within which iron-plated ships, under concentrated fire, may be damaged. ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • moon in distance

    When the angle between her and the sun, or a star, admits of measurement for lunar observation. ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sun and moon in distance

    When the angle between those bodies admits of measurement for lunars (about 130°). ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book