Standard candle

As standard candles is called in astronomy objects from which one assumes that they always have the same, well-known absolute brightness. Then one can conclude on the basis of their apparent brightness to the distance of the objects. These results here using the following equation:

Where D is the distance, kpc kiloparsecs (103 parsecs ), the Apparent magnitude m and M are the absolute brightness.

So can be determined to nearby galaxies, eg by means of Cepheid distance, which they are part. For a variety of standard candles, a distance ladder can be constructed.

Examples of standard candles:

  • RR Lyrae stars
  • Cepheids
  • Supernovae of type Ia

Other methods of distance measurement:

  • Equatorial Distance - Basic Method
  • Spectroscopic Distance
  • Photometric Distance
  • Tully -Fisher relation
  • Faber -Jackson relation
  • Redshift
  • Astronomical object
Intrinsic brightness Galaxy RR Lyrae variable Faber–Jackson relation
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de