astrometric binary

Astrometric binaries are relatively nearby stars which can be seen to wobble around a point in space, with no visible companion.

Nearby stars often have a relatively high proper motion, so astrometric binaries will appear to follow a sinusoidal path across the sky.

They may also be detected by indirect techniques, such as spectroscopy (spectroscopic binaries) or astrometry (astrometric binaries).

She worked as a research associate on astrometric binaries with Professors van de Kamp and Heintz at Sproul Observatory from 1969 till 1971.

For astrometric binaries fairly near the Earth (up to about 10 parsecs), it may be possible to see the visible companion "wobble" as it moves around its invisible companion.