An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The metallicity derived from observations of stars in galaxies. It is mainly based on spectral → absorption lines in → ultraviolet (UV) and optical ranges. Stellar metallicity is a direct measure of the amount of metals in a galaxy, since large part of heavy elements lies in its stars.

→ stellar; → metallicity.

The → nuclear reaction process taking place inside stars, whereby → chemical elements are produced from pre-existing nuclei heavier than → hydrogen and → helium.

→ stellar; → nucleosynthesis.

Any of a class of → astronomical objects which is thought to evolve into a → star or is a descendant of a star.

→ stellar; → object.

The apparent → difference in the → position of a → celestial object as seen by an → observer from two widely separated → locations. The parallax of an object can be used to derive its → distance. The relationship between the → parallax angle  p (measured in seconds of arc) and the distance d (measured in → astronomical units) is given by d = 206,264 / p. For a parallax angle p = 1'', the distance to the star would correspond to 206,264 AU. By convention, the distance unit → parsec is defined to be equivalent to 206,264 AU. Therefore, the parallax relation takes the much simpler form: d (in pc) = 1/p (in seconds of arc). The first star whose parallax was measured was → 61 Cygni (Bessel, 1838).
See also:
→ annual parallax, → diurnal parallax, → dynamical parallax, → geocentric parallax, → heliocentric parallax, → horizontal parallax, → lunar parallax, → mean parallax, → parallactic ellipse, → parsec, → photometric parallax, → secular parallax, → solar parallax, → spectroscopic parallax, → statistical parallax, → trigonometric parallax.

→ stellar; → parallax.

The precise measurement of a star's brightness, usually through several specific wavelength bands.

→ stellar; → photometry.

Same as → stellar astrophysics.

→ stellar; → physics.

→ Population I star; → Population II star.

→ stellar; → population.

A theoretical model that reconstructs the integrated spectrum of → stellar populations from an empirical library of stellar spectra containing the range of types expected to be present in the sample. The light received from a given galaxy is emitted by a large number of stars that may have different masses, ages, and metallicities. Stellar population synthesis models are tools for interpreting the integrated light that we observe from the galaxies.

→ stellar; → population; → model.

The expansion of a star followed by contraction so that its → surface temperature and → luminosity undergo periodic variation. Pulsation starts with a loss of → hydrostatic equilibrium, when, for example, a layer contracts. This layer heats up and becomes more opaque to radiation. Therefore, radiative diffusion slows down through the layer because of its increased → opacity and heat increases beneath it. Hence pressure rises below the layer. Eventually this increase in pressure starts to push the layer out. The layer expands, cools and becomes more transparent to radiation. Energy now escapes from below the layer and the pressure beneath the layer drops. The layer falls inward and the cycle starts over. See also → kappa mechanism; → gamma mechanism; → partial ionization zone; → pulsating star; → valve mechanism.

→ stellar; → pulsation.

The spinning of a star about its axis, due to its angular momentum. Stars do not necessarily rotate as solid bodies, and their angular momentum may be distributed non-uniformly, depending on radius or latitude.Thus the equator of the star can rotate at a different angular velocity than the higher latitudes. These differences in the rate of rotation within a star may have a significant role in the generation of a stellar magnetic field.

→ stellar; → rotation.

A physical model that describes the internal arrangement of a star in detail and makes detailed predictions about the luminosity, the color, and the future evolution of the star.

→ stellar; → structure.

A set of → differential equations describing the physical properties of stars based on two main assumptions: a star is a perfect sphere and the net force on a macroscopic mass element is zero. If the effects of rotation and magnetism are ignored, these assumptions lead to a set of five differential equations.

→ stellar; → structure; → equation.

A system comprised of a group of stars bound by → gravitational attraction. Same as → star system.

→ stellar; → system.

The steady flow of gas away from a star resulting in → mass loss. They range from gentle solar wind (2 x 10^-14 solar masses per year) to violent winds some 10 billions times stronger (10^-4 solar masses per year) for hot, massive stars.

→ stellar; → wind.

Same as → stellar black hole.

→ stellar; → mass; → black; → hole.

Math.: A function f of a real variable defined on an interval [a,b] so that [a,b] can be divided into a finite number of sub-intervals on each of which f is a constant. The graph of a step function is a series of line segments resembling a set of steps.

Step, from M.E. steppen, O.E. steppan; cf. Du. stap, O.H.G. stapfo, Ger. stapfe "footprint;" → function.

Karyâ, → function; pellé "stair, step;" Mid.Pers. pylg "step," pillagân "steps, staircase;" from *palak, from *padak, from pad-, → foot, + relation suffix -ak.

A group of five closely grouped galaxies (NGC 7317, 7318A, 7318B, 7319 and 7320) in the constellation → Pegasus. Four of the galaxies show essentially the same → redshift, suggesting that they are at the same distance from us. The fifth galaxy (NGC 7320) has a smaller redshift than the others, indicating it is much closer. This one is probably a foreground galaxy which happens to lie along the line of sight. The four distant galaxies seem to be colliding, showing serious distortions due to gravitational → tidal forces. The NASA → Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed the presence of a huge intergalactic → shock wave. Collisions play an important role in the life cycles of galaxies. → merging galaxies.

Named after the French astronomer Edouard Stéphan (1837-1923), who discovered the group in 1877 at Marseilles Observatory, using the → Foucault's reflector; → quintet.

The solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on its surface numerically equal to the square of the radius. → square degree.

From ste(reo)-, → stereo- + → radian.

A combining form meaning "having and dealing with three dimensions of space; solid."

From stereo a shortening of stereotype, from Fr. stéréotype (adj.) "printing by means of a solid plate of type," from Gk. stereos "solid."

Loan from Fr., as above.

A device that allows two images of the sky taken at different times to be optically superimposed so that changes in star brightness or moving objects can be detected.

→ stereo-; comparator, from L. comparare "to place together, match," from compar "alike, matching," → com-; → partial + -tor.

Ham-sanj-gar "comapartor," from ham-, → com-, + sanj stem of sanjidan "to compare" + -gar, → -or; → stereo-.