heliometer

[ hee-lee-om-i-ter ]

noun

1. a telescope with a divided, adjustable objective, formerly used to measure small angular distances, as those between celestial bodies.

heliometer

/ ˌhiːlɪəʊˈmɛtrɪk; ˌhiːlɪˈɒmɪtə /

noun

1. a refracting telescope having a split objective lens that is used to determine very small angular distances between celestial bodies

Derived Forms

• ˌheliˈometry, noun
• ˌhelioˈmetrically, adverb
• heliometric, adjective

Other Words From

• he·li·o·met·ric [hee-lee-, uh, -, me, -trik], heli·o·metri·cal adjective
• heli·o·metri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heliometer¹

First recorded in 1745–55; helio- + -meter

Example Sentences

Struve’s second suggestion has been adopted in nearly all succeeding heliometers.

From Project Gutenberg

Physicists were sometimes jocularly greeted among astronomers as "ribbon men," and no one even dreamed that their researches were one day to advance to equal recognition with results derived from micrometer, meridian circle, and heliometer.

From Project Gutenberg

They are obtained from late improved measures of the velocity of light, and from measures by the heliometer.

From Project Gutenberg

A heliometer is the most accurate astronomical instrument for relative measurements of position, as a transit circle is the most accurate for absolute determinations.

From Project Gutenberg

Bessel had no sooner made himself acquainted with the exquisite defining powers of the Königsberg heliometer, than he resolved to employ them in an attack upon the now secular problem of star-distances.

From Project Gutenberg