Encyclopedia

Mira

Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Acronyms, Wikipedia.
Light curve of Miraclick for a larger image
Light curve of Mira

Mira

or

Mira Ceti

(mÿ -ră, meer see -tÿ, set -ee) (the Wonderful; ō Cet) A red giant in the constellation Cetus that is a long-period variable star with an average period of 331 days. It was known to early astronomers for its regular appearances and disappearances and was established in 1638 as a variable star. It is the prototype of the Mira stars. Its radius varies by 20 per cent during its cycle and at maximum size and brightness is over 330 times the Sun's radius. The surface temperature varies from about 2600 K at maximum luminosity down to about 1900 K. The visible light emitted varies considerably, usually by about 6 magnitudes, over the cycle (see illustration). The average maximum apparent magnitude, m V, lies between 3 and 4 although it may reach 2nd magnitude. At minimum it is about 8th to 10th magnitude. Mira is also an infrared source, the emission arising from dust grains in the expanding envelope of gas.

Mira is both a visual binary with a faint peculiar companion that is also variable, and an optical double. MV : –1.0 (var.); spectral type: M6e–M9e III; distance: 40 pc.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

Mira

[′mir·ə]
(astronomy)
The first star recognized to be a periodic variable; has a period of 332 ± 9 days and its spectrum changes from M5e at maximum to M9e at minimum;it is the prototype of long-period variable stars.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Smart Display

(1) A table top device with a virtual assistant and screen. The Echo Show, Echo Spot, Google Nest Hub and Facebook Portal are examples. See Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Facebook Portal.

(2) A table top Android tablet from ViewSonic that also serves as a 21.5" touchscreen monitor for a desktop or laptop computer via HDMI.

(3) (Smart Display) An earlier thin client from Microsoft that functioned as a remote terminal to a Windows XP PC via Wi-Fi. It also served as a regular monitor. Code-named "Mira" (Spanish for "look") and available with 10" or 15" screens, it ran Windows CE for Smart Display OS and used Remote Desktop to connect. Introduced in 2003, the costly unit was discontinued soon after because it was not popular. LCD monitor prices were dropping, and the XP machine could not be used at the same time. See thin client and Remote Desktop Services.
Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Mira

 

(o Ceti), the first known variable star; discovered as a variable star in 1596 by D. Fabricius. Mira varies in brightness from a stellar magnitude of 2.0 to a stellar magnitude of 10.1, with a period averaging 331.5 days. The variations in brightness are due to the pulsations of the star, as a result of which the diameter varies by approximately 10 percent, which is accompanied by a variation in the temperature and brightness of the star’s surface. Mira measures about 500 million km in diameter and is located 77 parsecs from the sun.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
Mira is currently available in Florida and New York, with distribution planned in all Eckerd locations by March.
MIRA believes Currenta's experienced workforce are critical to the businesses' success.
The second half of the novel finds her living in the Himalayan foothills with her Brahmin husband Nanjundan, whom she refers to part reverentially and part sardonically as 'the Mahatma.' Ramanujan has a way of portraying almost every major character in Mira's life as colourful and messed up, and Nanjundan is no exception to this rule.
E a caracteristica fundamental que permite a convivencia dinamica e silenciosa entre essas multiplas camadas graficas--a nocao de transparencia--encontra-se precisamente nas escolhas materiais de Mira.
"We are eager to introduce kids and their families to the rich, diverse cultures and customs of India through Mira, a young girl who looks at things with her own unique lens to gain different perspectives and help others in her community.
Built on HORIBA MIRA's Proving Ground alongside its existing tracks, the TIC-IT test track would see the creation of a purpose-built, realistic and safe environment for testing CAVs to their limits.
HORIBA MIRA and Coventry University will create the Trusted Intelligent Connected Autonomous Vehicle consortium as part of a [pounds sterling]26million project
Development on the Southern Manufacturing Sector at MIRA Technology Park is expected to have a significant positive impact on the local economy, creating over 1,000 jobs across a variety of different skill sets and sectors.
Abd Rashid also wanted to correct media reports which stated that Mira Ezra, 25, and the other victim, Norazrul Ahmad, 37, was a married couple.
First two day's training session for enumerators on MIRA was jointly organised in District Muzaffargarh by NDMA, UNOCHA with the support of PDMA Punjab and District Administration Muzaffargarh, the last day.
Built in 2014, Alta Mira has 240 units, and is located between Downtown Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Doral, which provides access to over 58m square feet of office and industrial space.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.