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How are cepheid variable stars used in determining distances?

Answer 1

Nova Adams

Cepheid variable stars have relation between their luminosity and pulsation period.

So they can be used as standard candles to estimate distances as luminosity changes inverse square to distance.

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Answer 2

Luke Allen

Because the luminosity of cepheid variable stars is directly proportional to their variability period, these stars are used as standard candles. Astronomers can determine the intrinsic luminosity of a cepheid variable star by measuring the variability period of its brightness fluctuations. Based on the observed brightness, they can use the inverse square law of brightness to calculate the star's distance from Earth.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.