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Exploring Cepheid Variables for Distance Measurement in Galaxies

Learn about the properties and types of Cepheid Variables, their importance in finding galaxy distances, and the procedure for utilizing Cepheids for accurate measurements.

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Exploring Cepheid Variables for Distance Measurement in Galaxies

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  1. Announcements • Projects due in 2 ½ weeks!! • On-campus observing rescheduled for July 16th, this may move to the 15th or 17th depending on weather! • Powerpoints: 20 info slides. Papers: 4.5 info pages.

  2. Lab 14: The Period-Luminosity Relation Tiffany Pewett pewett@chara.gsu.edu

  3. Cepheid Variables • Yellow Supergiant stars. • Are pulsating. • This causes them to become brighter and fainter over time. • They have extremely regular (& predictable) periods!

  4. Cepheid Properties

  5. Cepheid Pulsations

  6. Types • There are 2 types of Cepheid Variables. • We will only be working with classical Cepheids • The two types show 2 different, strong relationships between their pulsation periods and their luminosity!

  7. Types

  8. Using Cepheids • They are extremely useful for finding accurate distances to far off galaxies! • Since they are very bright they are easy to spot. • Period LuminosityDistance!

  9. Using Cepheids

  10. Using Cepheids

  11. Procedure • First, make sure you carefully read and follow the lab procedure! • Fill in the blank column on Table I first! • Use the equation: M= m+5-(5×log(2600pc)) • On Figure 1 plot all points from Table I & II, you are plotting logP& M. • This is your P-L relation! • Use a ruler to help you plot, if needed.

  12. Procedure • Draw astraightline (using a ruler) through your cluster of points on Figure 1. • Note: This line will NOT go through your origin! • On Figure 2 plot all 25 points from Table III. • When done, draw a“best-fit”curve through your points, your peaks need to be the same height!

  13. Final Answers • Follow the procedure closely and fill in all answers! • m= 15.556 (you will have gotten this by averaging all mag values from Table III). • P is the time passed between your two peaks. • Find M using your plot on Figure 1. • Find D using the provided graph on Figure 3.

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