Meridian Line Today

A meridian is a . Unlike lines of latitude (which run parallel like steps on a ladder), meridians are not parallel. They all converge at the North and South Poles. Every point on Earth lies on a specific meridian, defining its east-west position.

A , also known as a line of longitude , is an imaginary half-circle stretching from the North Pole to the South Pole. Unlike the Equator, which is a naturally occurring midpoint between the poles, meridian lines are arbitrary markers used to determine a location's east-west position and to synchronize global timekeeping. The Prime Meridian: Earth's "Longitudinal Zero" meridian line

If you have ever looked at a globe, you have seen the vertical lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole. The most important of these is the —specifically, the Prime Meridian . A meridian is a

longitude, serving as the "starting line" from which every other location on Earth is measured east or west. Every point on Earth lies on a specific

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Japanese therapy, meridian lines are viewed as pathways for vital energy (Qi) and blood to flow through the body. Key helpful features include: Weird Science: The Prime Meridian and Time Zones

The most famous meridian is the , which is officially designated as 0° longitude .

Many other observatories across Europe also have "meridian lines" built into their floors—often beautiful brass or marble inlays. These were used by astronomers to track the sun’s shadow at noon to calibrate telescopes.