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 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
Most of them were interested in trying to find planets through astrometry, measuring the change in the position of stars due to the pull of their planets’ gravity.
—Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2012
Rather than just seeing them as a point of light, its astrometry —precise measurements of the positions and movements—adds data on its size, shape, rotation and surface light scattering properties.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 June 2022
See More
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
Most of them were interested in trying to find planets through astrometry, measuring the change in the position of stars due to the pull of their planets’ gravity.
—Andrew Grant, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2012
Rather than just seeing them as a point of light, its astrometry —precise measurements of the positions and movements—adds data on its size, shape, rotation and surface light scattering properties.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 June 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'astrometry.' 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
1811, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near astrometry
Cite this Entry
“Astrometry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/astrometry. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share