Ellipsoidal dome

{{Short description|A type of dome with an ellipsoidal shape}}

File:Dhyanalinga Ellipsoidal dome.JPG]]

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.{{Cite web |last=Krivoshapko |first=Sergey |date=November 2007 |title=Research on General and Axisymmetric Ellipsoidal Shells Used as Domes, Pressure Vessels, and Tanks |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252568745 |access-date=2020-12-15}}

There are two types of ellipsoidal domes: prolate ellipsoidal domes and oblate ellipsoidal domes. 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.{{Cite web |last=South |first=David |date=March 24, 2009 |title=Advanced Dome Calculator |url=https://www.monolithic.org/calculators/advanced-dome-calculator |access-date=2020-12-15 |website=monolithic.org}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Khodadadi |first=Anahita |title=Interior view of the ellipsoidal dome|url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Interior-view-of-the-ellipsoidal-dome-type-3-of-Ja-me-Mosque-of-Yazd-Iran-14-th_fig4_266675752 |access-date=2020-12-15 |website=ResearchGate}}

File:Graphical Ellipsoidal Dome.png