What star type did Shapley use to calculate Galactic parameters?
White Dwarfs
Red Giants
Cepheid Variables
Neutron Stars
Answer
Shapley used Cepheid variables to calculate Galactic parameters because they are extremely bright and can be seen very far away. Cepheid variables are a type of star that pulsates, or expands and contracts, at regular intervals. This pulsation causes the star to change its brightness, and by measuring the brightness of a Cepheid variable, astronomers can determine its distance from Earth.
Shining a Light on Harlow Shapley: The Scientist and Advocate Quiz
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