Article
Article
Cardinal points
Article By:
Rockett, Frank H. Engineering Consultant, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Last reviewed:November 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.109700
The four intersections of the horizon with the meridian and with the prime vertical circle, or simply prime vertical, the intersections with the meridian being designated north and south, and the intersections with the prime vertical being designated east and west (see illustration). The cardinal points are 90° apart; they lie in a plane with each other and correspond to the cardinal regions of the heavens. The four intermediate points, northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest, are the collateral points. See also: Astronomical coordinate systems
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