# Meridian

Also called: culmination, highest point, transit time.

The north–south line across the sky through the zenith; objects are highest when they cross it.

Every star and planet rises in the east, climbs to its highest point as it crosses the meridian — it culminates, or transits — and sinks towards the west. Crossing the meridian is usually the best time to observe it.

**In AstroPilot:** “Highest” times on AstroPilot are meridian crossings; the Through the year chart shows the months when an object is highest in the evening.

**Related:** [Altitude](https://astropilot.space/glossary/altitude.md), [Zenith](https://astropilot.space/glossary/zenith.md), [Celestial sphere](https://astropilot.space/glossary/celestial-sphere.md)

From the AstroPilot astronomy glossary: https://astropilot.space/glossary/meridian