double star

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noun Astronomy.

two stars that appear as one if not viewed through a telescope with adequate magnification, such as two stars that are separated by a great distance but are nearly in line with each other and an observer (optical double star), or those that are relatively close together and comprise a single physical system (physical double star).
Compare binary star.

Origin of double star

First recorded in 1775–85

Words nearby double star

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Example sentences from the Web for double star

British Dictionary definitions for double star

double star

noun

two stars, appearing close together when viewed through a telescope; either physically associated (binary star) or not associated (optical double star) See also binary star, optical double star

Scientific definitions for double star

double star

See binary star.