double star

noun

, Astronomy.

1. two stars that appear as one if not viewed through a telescope with adequate magnification, such as two stars that are separated by a great distance but are nearly in line with each other and an observer optical double star, or those that are relatively close together and comprise a single physical system physical double star.

double star

noun

1. two stars, appearing close together when viewed through a telescope; either physically associated (binary star) or not associated (optical double star) See also binary star optical double star

double star

1. See binary star

Word History and Origins

Origin of double star¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The park service is enticing potential visitors by telling them that they could see “an assortment of planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies by night.”

From New York Times

And a smaller quibble: movie also purports in an early scene to show the double star Mizar and Alcor, but the photograph on screen is not of them.

From Salon

“You can look for satellites and constellations and double stars,” Oluseyi says.

From New York Times

Stellar-size black holes call attention to themselves as they cannibalize their companions in double star systems.

From New York Times

The second star on the “handle” of the Plough is a naked-eye double star.

From The Guardian