The Cepheid Period–Luminosity Relation

Overview

Henrietta Leavitt found that the pulsation period of a Cepheid variable star reveals its true luminosity, giving astronomers a 'standard candle' for measuring distance.

Why it matters

The key that let astronomers measure the scale of the galaxy and the universe beyond it.

Credit

Discovered by

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

Knowledge connections

Discovered byHenrietta Swan Leavitt
Part ofModern Astronomy
Associated withThe Cepheid Distance Scale

Sources & references

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.
BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica
General reference for the history of astronomy, biographies, and cultural context.

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