Nadir

Diagram showing the relationship between the zenith, the nadir, and different types of horizon. Note that the zenith is opposite the nadir.

The nadir (UK: /ˈnædɪər/, US: /ˈneɪdɪər/; from Arabic: نظير‎ / ALA-LC: naẓīr, meaning "counterpart")[lower-alpha 1] is the direction pointing directly below a particular location; that is, it is one of two vertical directions at a specified location, orthogonal to a horizontal flat surface there. Since the concept of being below is itself somewhat vague, scientists define the nadir in more rigorous terms. Specifically, in astronomy, geophysics and related sciences (e.g., meteorology), the nadir at a given point is the local vertical direction pointing in the direction of the force of gravity at that location. The direction opposite the nadir is the zenith.

Emotional

Nadir is also used figuratively to mean the lowest point of a person's spirits,[2] or the quality of an activity or profession.[3]

Medical

In medicine, the term nadir is used to represent the lowest level of something being measured; for example, of a blood cell count while a patient is undergoing chemotherapy, or of a blood glucose level after a baby is born.[4] A diagnosis of neutropenic nadir after chemotherapy typically lasts 7–10 days,[5] and a newborn's blood sugar normally reaches its nadir around 2 hours after birth.[6]

Geometric view

This diagram depicts a satellite observing backscattered sunlight in the nadir viewing geometry.

The word also refers to the downward-facing viewing geometry of an orbiting satellite,[7] such as is employed during remote sensing of the atmosphere, as well as when an astronaut faces the Earth while performing a spacewalk.

Astronomical

The term nadir can also be used to represent the lowest point reached by a celestial body during its apparent orbit around a given point of observation. This can be used to describe the location of the Sun, but it is only technically accurate for one latitude at a time and only possible at the low latitudes. The sun is said to be at the nadir at a location when it is at the zenith at the location's antipode and the sun is 90 degrees below the horizon. This only occurs between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn at solar midnight. The tropic circles experience this once a year on their winter solstices and all other tropical regions experience this twice.

Virtual Reality Video Capture (360º Video Footage)

The term nadir also applies to video footage produced for use in Virtual Reality aka 360º video. Cameras capable of capturing spherical footage are generally mounted on a tripod or extension boom that sits directly below and perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the camera lenses (when using two, 180º FOV lenses). In the case of camera rigging that utilizes more than 2 lenses to capture 360º footage, the nadir location follows the same logic as the astronomical definition in that it is located opposite of the zenith, or in the same direction as the gravitational pull in relation to the camera rigging.

Notes

  1. ↑ Although the English word Nadir comes from the Arabic naẓīr, the word "Nadir" in Arabic: (نادر)‎ has a different meaning, which is 'rare'.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Arabic Dictionary Online Translation LEXILOGOS >>". www.lexilogos.com.
  2. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911. p. 149. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Turner, Janice (December 1, 2007). "The lowest point in British journalism". The Times. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Bone marrow suppression". Chemotherapy Principles: An In-depth Discussion. American Cancer Society. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  5. ↑ Le, Tao; Bhushan, Vikas; Skapik, Julia (2007). First Aid For The USMLE Step 2 CK (6th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. p. 479. ISBN 9780071487955. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  6. ↑ https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathogenesis-screening-and-diagnosis-of-neonatal-hypoglycemia
  7. ↑ McLaughlin, Richard J.; Warr, William H. (2001). "The Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) for International Space Station" (PDF). Society of Automotive Engineers. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.