第18章恒星――星の世界の実態を調べるThe Stars: A Celestial Census

The diameters of stars can be determined by measuring the time it takes an object (the Moon, a planet, or a companion star) to pass in front of it and block its light. Diameters of members of eclipsing binary systems (where the stars pass in front of each other) can be determined through analysis of their orbital motions.

恒星の直径は、月、惑星、伴星などの天体が、その前を通って光を遮るのにかかる時間を測れば求められる。星が互いの前を通る食連星系では、成分星の直径を、軌道運動の分析から求められる。