1. Home
  2. / Henrietta Swan Leavitt
  3. / What was the maximum distance astronomers could measure before her discovery?

What was the maximum distance astronomers could measure before her discovery?

  • 12 million light-years

  • Several hundred light years

  • 50 million light years

  • Slightly more than a thousand light years

Answer

Astronomers were only able to measure the distances to objects within a few hundred light years until the discovery of Cepheid variable stars. Cepheid variables are stars that change in brightness over time, and the period of their brightness changes is directly related to their absolute luminosity.
The Stellar Saga: Unraveling Henrietta Swan Leavitt's Cosmic Legacy

The Stellar Saga: Unraveling Henrietta Swan Leavitt's Cosmic Legacy

Take the Henrietta Swan Leavitt Quiz
Subscribe newsletter

Subscribe Now!

Learn something
new everyday

Playing quizzes is free! We send 1 quiz every week to your inbox