spectroscopic binary
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.
- Compare visual binary.
Words Nearby spectroscopic binary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spectroscopic binary in a sentence
Capella has been found to be a spectroscopic binary; also the pole star.
Astronomy | David ToddThis star, which is the Algol variable V Puppis, has been found to be a spectroscopic binary.
Darwin and Modern Science | A.C. Seward and OthersThe star β Cephei has recently been discovered to be a spectroscopic binary with the wonderfully short period of 4h 34m 11s.
Astronomical Curiosities | J. Ellard GoreProf. Campbell estimates that fully one star in six is a spectroscopic binary.
Are the Planets Inhabited? | E. Walter MaunderA star shown to be double by the spectroscope, but not by the telescope, is called a spectroscopic binary star.
Astronomy for Young Folks | Isabel Martin Lewis
Scientific definitions for spectroscopic binary
[ spĕk′trə-skŏp′ĭk ]
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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