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Message Subject
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Calling All Amateur Astronomers! How far away are stars? How do we determine this distance? What makes it reliable?
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Poster Handle
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Astronut |
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Post Content
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What exactly is involved in the Cepheid variable method of measurement?
Quoting: SaveTheLivingEntitiesThe rate of fluctuation in a Cepheid variable's brightness is directly tied to its absolute luminosity, therefore monitoring the rate allows you to convert from apparent to absolute magnitude and therefore solve for distance. Excellent descriptive answer. Absolute magnitude being solved for distance involves what sort of equation? You use this formula and solve as needed: Let m = apparent magnitude Let M = absolute magnitude Let d = distance in parsecs Then m - M = -5 + 5log(d) Therefore d = 10^((m - M + 5)/5) I understand that point well. But determining the temperature of the Star doesn't directly tell us how far away a Star is, correct? It all hinges on whether or not luminosity can be correctly calculated and correlated to distance?
Quoting: saveIf you know the luminosity, then you can calculate for the distance because the apparent brightness will decrease as a function of distance as the light spreads out.
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