light curve
noun
: a graph showing the variation in brightness of a celestial object (such as a variable star) over a period of time
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Tracking how a star's light changes as a planet moves across its face from our position here on Earth helps build a light curve.
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Not all of the light curves can be explained just yet, and don’t relate to clouds or temperature.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
The peak in each light curve would be tagged with a precise time.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2013
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Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Not all of the light curves can be explained just yet, and don’t relate to clouds or temperature.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
The peak in each light curve would be tagged with a precise time.
—IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2013
See All Example Sentences for light curve
Cite this Entry
“Light curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20curve. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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