What is a standard candle?
1 Answer
Jun 6, 2018
Astronomers use standard candle to calculate the distance to stars.
Explanation:
If we know the luminosity of a star (Brightness )we can calculate its distance. THe light intensity reduces by inverse square law. as distances increase. Si if you find a known intensity star in a galaxy by this law we can calculate the distance/.THere are some stars called variable star. They change their luminosity at a particular period..Some of these stars called periodic variables act as standard candles.there is a relation between the period and the brightness of variable stars.stars. Delta Cepheid is an example.So,use of such stars is a method to determine distance to stars and galaxies.
picture credit phot cocnexon.com.
