Novae As Distance Indicators
Novae have some promise for use as standard candles. For instance, the distribution of their absolute magnitude is bimodal, with a main peak at magnitude −8.8, and a lesser one at −7.5. Novae also have roughly the same absolute magnitude 15 days after their peak (−5.5). Comparisons of nova-based distance estimates to various nearby galaxies and galaxy clusters with those done with Cepheid variable stars have shown them to be of comparable accuracy.
Read more about this topic: Nova
Famous quotes containing the word distance:
“[As we say], When you get to be 18 youre out of here. No wonder teenagers start to distance themselves from us.”
—Jerry Tello (20th century)