Discover
/
Article

Astrometric reflector

JUL 01, 1964
Physics Today

The US Naval Observatory at Flagstaff, Ariz., has acquired a new telescope for determining the distances of very faint stars by measuring their heliocentric parallax. The new $2.3 million, 61‐inch Astrometric Reflector is the first large reflecting telescope designed specifically for this purpose, and is capable of detecting the apparent motion of stars as distant as 100 light years and of a magnitude as faint as 18.5. Of particular interest are the red dwarfs, white dwarfs, and subdwarfs—all stars of unusual properties whose energies cannot be evaluated until their distances are known.

This article is only available in PDF format

Related content
/
Article
In the closest thing yet obtained to a movie of a breaking chemical bond, there’s a surprise ending.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1964_07.jpeg

Volume 17, Number 7

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.