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According to the Wikipedia article, there are different types of Cepheids; really, I think that each type should be investigated separately.For example, classical Cepheids have 4-20 times the mass of our Sun, and such stars are rare - 85-90% of all stars are less massive than our Sun. And not all such stars will automatically be Cepheids at any specific period of time.

I am not sure about the other types of Cepheids - whether they really ARE rare, or if they are, why. In fact, it would seem that nobody knows for sure - according to Wikipedia, article "Type II Cepheid", "The physical properties of all the type II Cepheid variables are very poorly known."

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Are all red giants Cepheid Variables?

No, not all red giants are Cepheid variables. Cepheid variables are a specific type of variable star that pulsates regularly, making them useful for measuring cosmic distances. Red giants, on the other hand, encompass a broad class of stars in the later stages of their evolution, which may or may not exhibit variability in their brightness.


Edwin Hubble demonstrated that distant galaxies existed by measuring which type of stars?

Edwin Hubble used Cepheid variable stars to measure the distances to galaxies. These stars have a relationship between their luminosity and pulsation period, allowing astronomers to calculate their distance based on their observed brightness.


What kind of star brightens and fades in a regular pattern?

A pulsating variable star brightens and fades in a regular pattern due to periodic changes in its size, temperature, and luminosity. These stars can be categorized into different types, such as Cepheid variables and RR Lyrae stars, based on their specific properties and pulsation periods.


What did Henrietta Swan Leavitt do?

Henrietta Swan Leavitt was an American astronomer who discovered the relationship between the luminosity and the period of Cepheid variable stars. This discovery provided a way to measure the distances to faraway galaxies and paved the way for important advancements in the field of astronomy.


What fundamental principle did Shapely use to calibrate the period-luminosity relationship for Cepheid variable stars?

Shapley used the principle that the pulsation period of a Cepheid variable star is directly linked to its intrinsic luminosity. By observing Cepheids in nearby galaxies with known distances, he was able to establish a relationship between the period of pulsation and the luminosity of the star, known as the period-luminosity relationship. This key principle provided a way to accurately measure distances to galaxies and paved the way for understanding the scale of the universe.

Related Questions

What does Cepheid mean?

A Cepheid is a member of a class of pulsating variable stars. The relationship between a Cepheid variable's luminosity and pulsation period is quite precise, securing Cepheids as viable standard candles and the foundation of the Extragalactic Distance Scale.


Pulsating variable stars are A-Binary stars B-Pulsars C-Novas D-Cephied Variables?

Cepheid Variables.


Which variable stars have pulsation periods between 1.5 hours and 1.2 days?

RR Lyrae stars. (Sometimes these stars are classed as a type of "Cepheid variable", but they are usually considered as a separate star type.)


Who discovered how to predict changes in the brightness of Cepheid variable stars?

Henrietta Swan Leavitt discovered the relationship between the period and luminosity of Cepheid variable stars in 1908. This discovery led to the development of a method to accurately measure distances to faraway galaxies, known as the cosmic distance ladder.


Why are variable stars variable?

According to the Wikipedia article, there are different types of Cepheids; really, I think that each type should be investigated separately.For example, classical Cepheids have 4-20 times the mass of our Sun, and such stars are rare - 85-90% of all stars are less massive than our Sun. And not all such stars will automatically be Cepheids at any specific period of time. I am not sure about the other types of Cepheids - whether they really ARE rare, or if they are, why. In fact, it would seem that nobody knows for sure - according to Wikipedia, article "Type II Cepheid", "The physical properties of all the type II Cepheid variables are very poorly known."


Which two groups of stars can have similar brightness?

Variable stars and main sequence stars can have similar brightness. Variable stars, like Cepheid variables, can fluctuate in brightness over time, while main sequence stars maintain a relatively stable brightness due to their fusion processes.


What is a Cepheid Variable?

A Cepheid is a member of a particular class of variable stars. The relationship between a Cepheid variable's luminosity and pulsation period is quite precise, securing classical Cepheids as viable standard candles and the foundation of the Extragalactic Distance Scale. See related link for more information


Cepheid variable stars have been used to determine the?

1)placing cosmological constraints on the expansion of the Universe through the determination of distances to galaxies 2)to measure many characteristics of our galaxy and our relationship to it


What is cepheid phase?

The Cepheid phase is a stage in the life cycle of a star where the star pulsates in a predictable manner, changing in brightness over a fixed period of time. This pulsation is used by astronomers to accurately measure the distance to Cepheid variable stars and other celestial objects.


How are Cepheid variable stars used in measuring distances in astronomy?

Cepheid variable stars are used in astronomy to measure distances by observing their pulsation periods. The longer the period of pulsation, the brighter the star, allowing astronomers to calculate the star's true brightness and therefore its distance from Earth. This method, known as the period-luminosity relationship, helps determine distances to faraway galaxies and other celestial objects.


Are all red giants Cepheid Variables?

No, not all red giants are Cepheid variables. Cepheid variables are a specific type of variable star that pulsates regularly, making them useful for measuring cosmic distances. Red giants, on the other hand, encompass a broad class of stars in the later stages of their evolution, which may or may not exhibit variability in their brightness.


Edwin Hubble demonstrated that distant galaxies existed by measuring which type of stars?

Edwin Hubble used Cepheid variable stars to measure the distances to galaxies. These stars have a relationship between their luminosity and pulsation period, allowing astronomers to calculate their distance based on their observed brightness.