zenith tube

noun Astronomy.

a telescope mounted to point only at the zenith, used at some observatories for measuring time by the stars.
Also called zenith telescope.

Origin of zenith tube

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby zenith tube

zenia, zenist, zenith, zenith distance, zenith telescope, zenith tube, zenithal, zenithal equidistant projection, zenithal projection, zenker's degeneration, zenker's diverticulum

British Dictionary definitions for zenith telescope

zenith telescope

noun

an instrument used to determine the latitude of stars, similar to the meridian circle but fitted with an extremely sensitive level and a declination micrometer