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Glite Dictionary
photoheliograph

photoheliograph

9.9
A telescope with a camera that takes pictures of the Sun
  • noun
  • /ˌfoʊtoʊˈhiːliəˌɡræf/
  • Archaic
translation icon : fotoheliógrafo
  • A specialized photoheliograph was installed to document changes on the Sun's surface over time.

Examples

  • In the nineteenth century, astronomers relied on the photoheliograph for systematic solar observations.

  • The observatory used a photoheliograph to capture detailed images of sunspot activity.

  • The photoheliograph captured stunning images of the solar eclipse.

  • Scientists use a photoheliograph to study solar flares.

  • The observatory used a photoheliograph to capture stunning images of the solar eclipse.

  • A state-of-the-art photoheliograph allowed scientists to study the Sun's surface in detail.

  • During the workshop, participants learned how to operate a photoheliograph for solar photography.

Synonyms

spectroheliograph
vsphotoheliograph
  • Specialized
9.9

A machine that takes pictures of the Sun using one color of light to show details

photographs across multiple wavelengths rather than a single one
solar telescope
vsphotoheliograph
  • Specialized
4.9

A telescope for safely looking at the sun to study sunspots and flares

is fitted with a camera to photograph the Sun rather than only observe

Surface Forms

photoheliograph singular
photoheliographs plural

Morphology

photoheliograph = heliograph (semi-transparent) = photo + helio + graph

The step from 'heliograph' to 'photoheliograph' is partly understandable, but the exact specialized telescope-and-camera meaning is not fully predictable for most learners.

Etymology

Photoheliograph comes from three parts: photo- meaning 'light', helio- meaning 'sun', and -graph meaning 'to write' or 'record', the same photo- you see in photograph. So a photoheliograph literally means a machine that 'records the sun with light', in other words a camera for taking pictures of the Sun.