Cenit

Cenit is a term used in several languages to refer to the zenith, the point in the sky that lies directly overhead for an observer. In astronomy and celestial navigation, the zenith marks the limit of the sky above a given location and corresponds to an altitude of 90 degrees. The form cenit is widely used in Spanish, where it is equivalent to the French zénith and the English zenith. In other Romance languages and in technical literature, variations exist, but the underlying concept remains the same: the point on the celestial sphere directly above the observer.

The opposite point is the nadir, located directly beneath the observer. Objects in the sky have a zenith distance or zenith angle, which is the angular separation between the object and the zenith; these measures are used in planning observations, calibrating instruments, and in surveying and meteorology.

Beyond its astronomical sense, cenit is sometimes used as a proper name for organizations, products, and cultural works in various countries. In such uses, the term is generally independent of the astronomical meaning and relies on the sense of height or summit conveyed by the word.

Related terms include zenith, nadir, and zenith angle.