Author Question: Process of Science: How we can test that a so-called standard candle is indeed standard? What ... (Read 85 times)

DelorasTo · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

Process of Science: How we can test that a so-called standard candle is indeed standard?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Process of Science: Give examples of how we build upon our knowledge of stars to measure distances to the edge of the Universe.

What will be an ideal response?

srodz · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

We have to measure both the absolute luminosity of many examples of a standard candle through observations of their apparent brightness and independent measures of their distance. Only once absolute luminosities are fully calibrated in this way, can we then reverse the process and use their apparent brightness to infer distances.

Answer to Question 2

We use established theories for stellar evolution such as Cepheid variables, and the Chandrasekhar limit for white dwarf masses as critical steps on the distance ladder.