Nadir

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nadir [Arab.,=opposite], in astronomy, the point on the celestial sphere directly opposite the zenith, i.e., directly beneath the observer.

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Nadir

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

The nadir (from Arabic ندير nadeer نظير nathir, "opposite") is the astronomical term for the point in the sky directly below the observer, or more precisely, the point in the sky with an inclination of −90°. In simple terms, if you are standing on the Earth, it is the direction "down" toward your feet.

Geometrically, it is the point on the celestial sphere intersected by a line drawn from the observer's location on the Earth's surface through the center of the Earth. The point opposite the nadir is the zenith. Nadir also refers to a downward-facing viewing angle of an orbiting satellite, such as is employed during remote sensing of the atmosphere, as well as when an astronaut faces the Earth while performing an EVA.

The word is also used figuratively to mean the lowest point.

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