Great Circles: Spherical Polyhedra Disclosed by Great Circles of the VE

I’ve updated this topic with improved illustrations here: The 25 Great Circles of the VE (new illustrations).

The 25 great circles of the vector equilbrium (VE) disclose the following spherical polyhedra: the octahedra; the vector equilibrium (VE); the tetrahedron; the rhombic dodecahedron; and the cube.

Octahedron

The spherical octahedron is disclosed in the 3 great circles defined by the VE’s 3 square-face-to-face axes of spin. Each face contains 6 of the 48 LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one face of the spherical octahedron highlighted.

Vector Equilibrium (VE or Cuboctahedron)

The spherical VE is disclosed in the 4 great circles defined by the VE’s 4 triangular-face-to-face axes of spin. Both the triangular and the square face contain only partial LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one triangular face and one square face of the spherical vector equilibrium highlighted.

Tetrahedron

The spherical tetrahedron, rhombic dodecahedron, and cube are disclosed in the 6 great circles of the VE’s 6 vertex-to-vertex axes of spin. Each face contains 12 of the 48 LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one face of the spherical tetrahedron highlighted.

Rhombic Dodecahedron

Each face of the spherical rhombic dodecahedron contains 4 of the 48 LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one face of the spherical rhombic dodecahedron highlighted.

Cube

Each face of the spherical cube contains 8 of the 48 LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one face of the spherical cube highlighted.

Octahedron (alternate)

An alternate spherical octahedron is disclosed in the 12, 6, and 4 great circles defined by the VE’s 12 edge-to-edge, 6 vertex-to-vertex, and 4 triangular-face-to-face axes of spin. Each face contains 3 full, and 6 partial LCD triangles.

Sphere inscribed with the 25 great circles of the vector equilibrium with one face of the alternate spherical octahedron highlighted.

Leave a comment