proper motion

astronomy

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proper motion, in astronomy, the apparent motion of a star across the celestial sphere at right angles to the observer’s line of sight; any radial motion (toward or away from the Sun) is not included. It is observed with respect to a framework of very distant background stars or galaxies. Proper motion is generally measured in seconds of arc per year; the largest known is that of Barnard’s star in the constellation Ophiuchus, about 10″ yearly. The English astronomer Edmond Halley, in 1718, was the first to detect proper motions—those of Arcturus and Sirius. The symbol for proper motion is the Greek letter μ (mu).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.