Mira variable

noun

Any of a class of pulsating variable stars characterized by very red colours, pulsation periods longer than 100 days, and amplitudes greater than one magnitude in infrared and 2.5 magnitude at visual wavelengths.

Meanings

nounMira variable (plural Mira variables)

plural Mira variables

  1. astronomyAny of a class of pulsating variable stars characterized by very red colours, pulsation periods longer than 100 days, and amplitudes greater than one magnitude in infrared and 2.5 magnitude at visual wavelengths.

Origin

Named after the prototype star Mira.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Mira variable. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mira%20variable

MLA

“Mira variable.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mira%20variable. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Mira variable,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Mira%20variable.

Source: Mira variable on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.