spectroscopic binary

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. a binary star having components that are not sufficiently separated to be resolved by a telescope, known to be a binary only bythe variations in wavelength of emitted light that are detected by a spectroscope.

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spectroscopic binary Scientific  

/ spĕk′trə-skŏp′ĭk /

1. See under binary star

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Example Sentences

The discovery that Algol is a spectroscopic binary verified Goodricke’s hypothesis.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

These curves plot the radial velocities of two stars in a spectroscopic binary system, showing how the stars alternately approach and recede from Earth.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

In visual binaries, the two stars can be seen separately in a telescope, whereas in a spectroscopic binary, only the spectrum reveals the presence of two stars.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

Which is easier to observe at large distances—a spectroscopic binary or a visual binary?

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

Capella has been found to be a spectroscopic binary; also the pole star.

From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck