light curve

noun

: a graph showing the variation in brightness of a celestial object (such as a variable star) over a period of time

Examples of light curve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This, coupled with a detailed analysis of the asteroid's light curve — the subtle variations in its brightness over time — enabled Bolin and his team to accurately determine not only the asteroid's composition and orbital characteristics but also its distinctly flattened, hockey-puck-like shape. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Apr. 2025

This process required a great deal of care, the development of a custom visualization tool kit, and the manual inspection of each light curve by UCLA undergraduate Paige Entrica. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Mar. 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 result was hundreds of highly detailed light curves showing how each wavelength of infrared light changed in brightness as SIMP 0136 rotated. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for light curve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve