Ellipsoidal dome

An ellipsoidal dome is a dome (also see geodesic dome), which has a bottom cross-section which is a circle, but has a cupola whose curve is an ellipse.

A prolate ellipsoidal dome is derived by rotating an ellipse around the long axis of the ellipse; an oblate ellipsoidal dome is derived by rotating an ellipse around the short axis of the ellipse.

[2] Of small note, in reflecting telescopes the mirror is usually elliptical, so has the form of a "hollow" ellipsoidal dome.

The Jameh Mosque of Yazd has an ellipsoidal dome.

[3] This article related to an architectural style is a stub.

Ellipsoidal dome of Dhyanalinga
Graphical illustration of an ellipsoidal dome. Note the blue and red horizontal "ellipses" are circles, at an angle. The blue and red vertical ellipse is rotated, about its vertical axis. At top in blue is a prolate ellipsoidal dome.