magnetic equator

3 definitions found

magnetic equator - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  magnetic equator \magnetic equator\ n.
     An imaginary line paralleling the equator where a magnetic
     needle has no dip, the dipping needle being horizontal;
     called also aclinic line.
     [WordNet 1.5]

  Equator \E*qua"tor\, n. [L. aequator one who equalizes: cf. F.
     ['e]quateur equator. See Equate.]
     1. (Geog.) The imaginary great circle on the earth's surface,
        everywhere equally distant from the two poles, and
        dividing the earth's surface into two hemispheres.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Astron.) The great circle of the celestial sphere,
        coincident with the plane of the earth's equator; -- so
        called because when the sun is in it, the days and nights
        are of equal length; hence called also the equinoctial,
        and on maps, globes, etc., the equinoctial line.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Equator of the sun or Equator of a planet (Astron.), the
        great circle whose plane passes through through the center
        of the body, and is perpendicular to its axis of
        revolution.
  
     Magnetic equator. See Aclinic.
        [1913 Webster]

magnetic equator - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  magnetic equator
      n 1: an imaginary line paralleling the equator where a magnetic
           needle has no dip [syn: aclinic line, magnetic equator]