zenith is a reference point for sky observation, a concept used in the natural sciences, mainly in astronomy.
Zenith is defined as the point exactly above a specific place, that is, from a point on a horizontal surface an imaginary straight line perpendicular to the plane is drawn, the point above the sphere is the zenith.
There is another meaning to the word zenith, which derives from an Arabic expression meaning “head direction” or “way above the head”.
The term zenith can also be used to define the highest point in the sky through which a celestial object passes on its apparent trajectory.
In astronomy, zenith defines one of the axes of the horizontal coordinate system, in which the height of an object is measured, in degrees, from the horizon, always corresponding to 90°.
solar zenith
There is also the solar zenith, which is when the sun is directly above the trees, this usually happens at solar noon.
The sun's zenith on earth occurs only twice a year and only in the latitudes between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
Zenith and Nadir
Nadir is considered the opposite of the zenith, that is, the celestial reference point that opposes the zenith.
As the zenith is considered to be the highest region above the head of the observer of the celestial sky, the nadir consists of the lowest point, which is below the feet of the same observer.
This term also originated from the Arabic nadeer or nathir, which literally means “opposite”.
See also about the meaning of Azimuth.
