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Glite Dictionary
heliometer

heliometer

9.9
A tool that measures the angle between two distant stars
  • noun
  • /ˌhiːliˈɒmɪtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heliómetro
  • The astronomer used a heliometer to determine the exact angular distance between the two distant stars.

Examples

  • The heliometer played a crucial role in measuring the Earth's distance from the sun in the 19th century.

  • Advances in technology eventually surpassed the accuracy of the traditional heliometer in astronomical observations.

  • The heliometer was crucial for measuring distant stars.

  • He built a heliometer to study celestial bodies.

  • The astronomer used a heliometer to determine the exact angular distance between the two distant stars.

  • The heliometer played a crucial role in measuring the Earth's distance from the sun in the 19th century.

  • Advances in technology eventually surpassed the accuracy of the traditional heliometer in astronomical observations.

Synonyms

astrometer
vsheliometer
  • Specialized
9.5

An instrument that measures star positions and brightness

measures angular separation between two distant stars specifically

How Precise

interferometer
  • Specialized
3 9.9
heliometer
  • Specialized
9.9
theodolite
  • Specialized
1 9.9
sextant
  • Specialized
4 9.5
protractor
3 3.4

Surface Forms

heliometer singular
heliometers plural

Morphology

heliometer = meter (semi-transparent) = helio + meter

The parts 'helio-' and 'meter' are recognizable scientific elements, but the word is a specialized technical term whose exact meaning is not fully predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word heliometer comes from the parts helio- 'sun' and -meter 'measure'. A helpful way to remember it is 'sun-measurer' because early heliometers measured the sun's size and position. That's why a heliometer is an instrument used to measure angles between stars and to help find distances in space.