TELESCOPE EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site comparator Clyde Tombaugh at work on the blink comparator at the Lowell Observatory, c. 1938. Credit: Lowell Observatory A device used to look for parallax motion, proper motion, asteroids, or variable stars by quickly alternating between views of two photographic plates taken at different times; also known as a blink comparator or blink microscope. Changes in the configuration of the objects on the plates, such as the movement of a suspected planet, are detectable by their relative motion, or new objects become apparent by their alternate appearance and disappearance. A similar instrument is the stereocomparator, which highlights objects that have changed position by their stereoscopic appearance. Related categories    • OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY    • TELESCOPE EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP