light curve

light curve
a graph showing variations in brightness of celestial objects over time.
[1885-90]

* * *

      in astronomy, graph of the changes in brightness with time of a star, particularly of the variable type. The light curves of different kinds of variable stars differ in the degree of change in magnitude (i.e., the amount of light flux observed), in the degree of regularity from one cycle to the next, and in the length of the cycle—i.e., the period. Variations in magnitude range from barely detectable for a star that is eclipsed by a planet in orbit around it to the billion fold increase in brightness of a supernova, while periods vary from milliseconds for some pulsars to a supernova's single explosion.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Light curve — In astronomy, a light curve is a graph of light intensity of a celestial object or region, as a function of time. The light is usually in a particular frequency interval or band.Light curves can be periodic, as in the case of eclipsing binaries,… …   Wikipedia

  • light curve — noun : a curve expressing graphically the fluctuations in light of a variable star or other astronomical body (as a planet or asteroid) * * * Astron. a graph showing variations in brightness of celestial objects over time. [1885 90] * * * light… …   Useful english dictionary

  • light curve — noun Date: 1890 a graph showing the variation in brightness of a celestial object (as a variable star) over a period of time …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • light curve — noun a graph of the intensity of radiation from an astronomical object as it changes with time …   Wiktionary

  • Light therapy — Intervention Bright light therapy is a common treatment for seasonal affective disorder and for circadian rhythm disorders. ICD 10 PCS …   Wikipedia

  • Curve Music — Founded 2002 Founder Brian Hetherman Genre indie, adult contemporary, rock Country of origin Canada Location …   Wikipedia

  • curve — vb Curve, bend, twist are comparable when they mean to swerve or cause to swerve or deviate from a straight line or a normal direction or course. Curve is the word of widest application, and it may describe any deviation or swerving from the… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Light-emitting diode — LED redirects here. For other uses, see LED (disambiguation). Light emitting diode Red, pure green and blue LEDs of the 5mm diffused type Type Passive, optoelectronic Working principle Electr …   Wikipedia

  • Curve (tonality) — Photo and curve dialog in the GIMP Photo and curve …   Wikipedia

  • Light effects on circadian rhythm — Numerous organisms maintain inherent individual rhythms to biological processes, known as circadian rhythms, that assist the organism in maintaining functional periodicity relative to the 24 hour day/night cycle of the earth. These rhythms are… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”