variable star

noun

: a star whose brightness changes usually in more or less regular periods

Examples of variable star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Using these variable stars, scientists can measure the distances to galaxies up to about 100 million light-years from us. Quanta Magazine, 19 Jan. 2024 Henrietta Swan Leavitt developed a key method for measuring astronomical distances that is based on the pulsations of Cepheid variable stars. WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023 Cosmic Shores Hubble’s study of Andromeda and its variable star stemmed from his fierce rivalry with another famed astronomer at Mount Wilson, Harlow Shapley. WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023 Photograph: Alamy Hubble in turn wrote up his variable star measurements and convinced everyone that Andromeda was indeed a separate galaxy. WIRED, 12 Nov. 2023 Introduction Hubble in turn wrote up his variable star measurements and convinced everyone that Andromeda was indeed a separate galaxy. Quanta Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023 So a variable star is one that changes its brightness over time in a regular cycle. Lucy Evans, Scientific American, 22 June 2023 The Hubble Space Telescope captured a stunning new image of the bright variable star V 372 Orionis and a companion star. Julia Musto, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2023 The variable star usually cycles from dim to bright over some 420 days, so astronomers say there’s still more to the mystery. Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'variable star.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of variable star was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near variable star

Cite this Entry

“Variable star.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variable%20star. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

variable star

noun
: a star whose brightness changes usually in more or less regular periods

More from Merriam-Webster on variable star

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