artificial horizon
a level, as a surface of mercury, used in determining the altitudes of stars.
the bubble in a sextant or octant for aerial use.
Also called flight in·di·ca·tor [flahyt-in-di-key-ter], /ˈflaɪt ˌɪn dɪ keɪ tər/, gyro horizon .Aeronautics an instrument that indicates the banking and pitch of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.
Origin of artificial horizon
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for artificial horizon
Also called: gyro horizon an aircraft instrument, using a gyroscope, that indicates the aircraft's attitude in relation to the horizontal
astronomy a level reflecting surface, such as one of mercury, that measures the altitude of a celestial body as half the angle between the body and its reflection
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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