fixed star
n. A star or nebula that appears to remain in constant position relative to other celestial bodies, in contrast with celestial bodies such as the planets in our solar system, whose changes in position relative to the stars are readily observable by telescope or the unaided eye. All stars except the sun are considered fixed stars.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fixed star
n 1. (Astronomy) any of the stars in the Ptolemaic system, all of which were thought to be attached to an outer crystal sphere thus explaining their apparent lack of movement
2. (Astronomy) an extremely distant star whose position appears to be almost stationary over a long period of time
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
fixed′ star′
n. any of the stars that apparently always retain the same position in respect to one another.
[1555–65]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
fixed star
(fĭkst) A star so distant from Earth that its position in relation to other stars appears not to change. Its movements can be measured only by precise observations over long periods of time. Sirius is a fixed star.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | fixed star - any star in the Ptolemaic theory of planetary motionstar - (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior |
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