Which of the following describes a small circle?

A small circle refers to a circle on a sphere that does not intersect the center of the sphere. In the context of Earth, small circles are formed by any circle drawn around the planet that is not a great circle. Great circles, such as the equator or lines of longitude, have their centers located at the center of the Earth and divide the sphere into two equal halves.

On the other hand, small circles can be formed at any latitude above or below the equator, which means they do not touch the center of the Earth. These include circles such as the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn or any other latitude lines that are not equidistant from the poles.

Understanding this concept helps to differentiate between various geographical lines and their significance in navigation and geography, particularly in how they relate to the Earth’s curvature. Knowing that a small circle is specifically a circle that does not have the center of the sphere as part of its definition is fundamental in physical geography.