Which line at the observer coincides with the plumb line and is normal to the horizon?

Study for the Geodesy Refresher Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which line at the observer coincides with the plumb line and is normal to the horizon?

Explanation:
The line that coincides with the plumb line and is perpendicular to the horizon is the observer’s vertical. The plumb line points in the direction of local gravity, defining the local vertical. The horizon is a plane tangent to the Earth at the observer and is perpendicular to that vertical. So the line through the observer along gravity, i.e., the vertical, is the one normal to the horizon. The zenith and nadir are points directly above and below, not lines.

The line that coincides with the plumb line and is perpendicular to the horizon is the observer’s vertical. The plumb line points in the direction of local gravity, defining the local vertical. The horizon is a plane tangent to the Earth at the observer and is perpendicular to that vertical. So the line through the observer along gravity, i.e., the vertical, is the one normal to the horizon. The zenith and nadir are points directly above and below, not lines.

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