Cosmic Distance Ladder: Cepheid Variables

An introduction to the class of variable stars known as Cepheid variables and their use as standard candles for measuring cosmic distances. Covers Henrietta Leavitt's discovery of the relationship be...

the Cepheids

Henrietta Leavitt discovered the relation between the period and luminosity of cepheid variable stars. By using Henrietta's discovery, astronomers can estimate the distances to these stars and thus to...