intrinsic variable star
Quick Summary
An intrinsic variable star is a star whose total energy output fluctuates over time. These stars are crucial for astronomers as they often represent critical, short-lived phases in a star's evolution. Studying their light and spectral characteristics can reveal valuable information about stellar life histories.
Certain types of intrinsic variable stars, like Cepheids and supernovas, are particularly important for determining distances to remote stellar systems. By measuring their apparent and absolute magnitudes, astronomers can estimate distances, provided interstellar absorption is also known.
Intrinsic variable stars are broadly classified into pulsating variables, which expand and contract rhythmically, and explosive variables, which undergo sudden outbursts. Examples of pulsating variables include Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars, while novas and supernovas are examples of explosive variables.123
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