# Astronomical Term *Mezzocielo*

What is the name of the point of intersection of the great circle passing through the celestial north pole P and the Zenith Z, with the celestial equator? (Point T in the figure)

In Italian this point is called "Mezzocielo" (English machine translation), which translates into mid-sky, since it is located halfway between the Zenith and the horizon for an observer in Italy ($$\phi \approx 40^{\circ}$$).

• I don't believe that that point has a specific name in English. – James K Mar 30 '20 at 20:59
• It actually is quite an important point, since the Hour Angle (HA) is measured from it. Shouldn't we give it a name :)? – Flaffo Mar 31 '20 at 15:29
• "Should" is a different question. – James K Mar 31 '20 at 15:39
• The hour angle is really a measure of the angle between the plane of the meridian and the plane passing through the object, so it does not need to be measured along the equator. Like James K, I do not know of a single work to describe point T. The closest would be "equator culmination". – JohnHoltz Mar 31 '20 at 16:06
• There's a related point called the midheaven (abbreviated as MC from Latin Medium Coeli), which is the intersection of the meridian with the ecliptic (not the celestial equator). – PM 2Ring Dec 28 '20 at 13:51