A blink comparator is a device used in astronomy to compare two photographic plates taken at different times of the same region of the sky. This device is used to detect any changes in the brightness and position of celestial objects, such as stars and galaxies.
Definitions
A blink comparator is a device used to compare two photographic plates, one after another, to detect any changes in the brightness and position of celestial objects. It is also known as a blink microscope or a blink viewer.
Origin
The blink comparator was invented by American astronomer Carl Lampland in 1913. He used this device to discover new stars and to study the movements of stars and galaxies.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a blink comparator is “a device used to compare photographic plates of the same area of the sky taken at different times in order to detect changes in the brightness or position of celestial objects.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a blink comparator as “an optical instrument used to compare two photographic plates of the same area of the sky, taken at different times, in order to detect changes in the positions or brightness of celestial objects.”
Associations
The blink comparator is mainly associated with astronomy and is used to study the movements of stars and galaxies. It is also used in the field of archaeology to study changes in the landscape over time.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of blink comparator are blink microscope, blink viewer, blinkoscope, and blinker.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of blink comparator as it is a specific device used for a particular purpose.
The same root words
The root words of blink comparator are “blink” and “comparator.” Blink refers to a quick, intermittent flash of light, while comparator refers to a device used to compare two things.
Example Sentences
- The astronomer used a blink comparator to compare two photographic plates of the same region of the sky taken at different times.
- The archaeologist used a blink microscope to study changes in the landscape over time.
- The blink comparator revealed the movement of a star over a period of several years.