JasonHarrisThe Local MeridianLocal MeridianHour AngleCelestial Sphere
The Local Meridian is an imaginary Great Circle
on the Celestial Sphere that is perpendicular
to the local Horizon. It passes through the
North point on the Horizon, through the Celestial
Pole, up to the Zenith, and through the
South point on the Horizon.
Because it is fixed to the local Horizon, stars will appear to drift past
the Local Meridian as the Earth spins. You can use an object's Right Ascension and the Local Sidereal Time to determine when it will
cross your Local Meridian (see Hour Angle).