heliometer

American  

[hee-lee-om-i-ter] / ˌhi liˈɒm ɪ tər /

noun

1. a telescope with a divided, adjustable objective, formerly used to measure small angular distances, as those between celestial bodies.

---

heliometer British  

/ ˌhiːlɪˈɒmɪtə /

noun

1. a refracting telescope having a split objective lens that is used to determine very small angular distances between celestial bodies

---

Other Word Forms

• heliometry
  noun
• heliometric
  adjective
• heliometrical
  adjective
• heliometrically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of heliometer

First recorded in 1745–55; helio- + -meter

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heliometer

This instrument suggested to Struve the above-mentioned idea of employing a similar motion for the heliometer.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

They frequently recur; they need no elaborate preparation; a single astronomer armed with a heliometer can do all the requisite work.

From A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century Fourth Edition by Agnes M. (Agnes Mary) Clerke

Gill introduced a powerful auxiliary to the accuracy of heliometer measures in the shape of a reversing prism placed in front of the eye-piece, between the latter and the observer’s eye.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

Here he constructed the famous "Dorpat refractor" for Struve, which is still at work; and designed the "Königsberg heliometer" for Bessel.

From Pioneers of Science by Sir Oliver Lodge

These two traditional methods were supplemented in 1874 by the camera and the heliometer.

From A Popular History of Astronomy During the Nineteenth Century Fourth Edition by Agnes M. (Agnes Mary) Clerke