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light curve

American  

noun

Astronomy.
  1. a graph showing variations in brightness of celestial objects over time.


Etymology

Origin of light curve

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Spot-Crossing Signal: A change in the transit light curve that happens when a planet moves across a darker, cooler starspot on the star's surface.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

Due to the movement of the moon and planet around their mutual center of gravity, this additional dimming in the light curve would follow a rather complicated pattern.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2023

Its trace in the light curve, however, would not only be significantly weaker.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2023

An algorithm then compares these simulated light curves with the observed light curve and looks for the best match.

From Science Daily • Dec. 7, 2023

M. H. E. Lau finds that the short-period variable star δ Cephei varies slightly in colour as well as in light, and that the colour curve is parallel to the light curve.

From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by Gore, J. Ellard