astrometry
noun
as·trom·e·try
ə-ˈsträ-mə-trē 
: a branch of astronomy that deals with measurements (as of positions and movements) of celestial bodies
Examples of astrometry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But astrometry needs accurate observational data taken for a long time.
—
Toshi Hirabayashi, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
At the heart of Gaia’s mapmaking is a technique called astrometry, the measurement of celestial positions and motions in the plane of the sky.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
But recently, astronomers were able to combine astrometry and direct imaging together and find an exoplanet.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
There’s astrometry, where scientists look for how an exoplanet causes a host star to move in relation to other stars.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
But astrometry can reveal planets, too: A planet orbiting a star can cause the star’s position to cyclically shift ever-so-slightly, oscillating back and forth in the plane of the sky.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
Gaia and Hipparcos were both meant to map the Milky Way’s stars (rather than its planets) using a technique called astrometry to precisely track stellar positions, distances and motions.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
To map these stars, astronomers use astrometry — measuring the precise positions of stars.
—Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2016
Everyone was convinced the job was going to be done with astrometry.
—Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2012
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Toshi Hirabayashi, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
At the heart of Gaia’s mapmaking is a technique called astrometry, the measurement of celestial positions and motions in the plane of the sky.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
But recently, astronomers were able to combine astrometry and direct imaging together and find an exoplanet.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
There’s astrometry, where scientists look for how an exoplanet causes a host star to move in relation to other stars.
—Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 6 May 2023
But astrometry can reveal planets, too: A planet orbiting a star can cause the star’s position to cyclically shift ever-so-slightly, oscillating back and forth in the plane of the sky.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
Gaia and Hipparcos were both meant to map the Milky Way’s stars (rather than its planets) using a technique called astrometry to precisely track stellar positions, distances and motions.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2023
To map these stars, astronomers use astrometry — measuring the precise positions of stars.
—Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2016
Everyone was convinced the job was going to be done with astrometry.
—Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Astrometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrometry. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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