Astrophysics (Index)About

fixed star

(star that does not change position in the celestial sphere)

The term fixed star refers to a star that remains in the same position in the celestial sphere, unlike, for example, solar system planets. For many purposes (e.g., everyday casual back-yard astronomy), every star other than the Sun could be treated as a fixed star. For analysis of proper motion or parallax-distance measurements of stars, the phrase fixed stars might be used to mean stars far more distant whose position in the sky is relatively constant.


(star type)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_stars
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fixed_star
https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095821958

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