A light curve is a graph that plots the brightness of an astronomical object over time. It is crucial for studying the variability and periodicity of stars and other celestial bodies.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Light curves are essential tools for identifying and categorizing variable stars.
The period of a variable star can be determined by analyzing its light curve.
Cepheid variables have a well-defined relationship between their luminosity and their pulsation period, which makes them key distance indicators.
Light curves can show different patterns such as periodic, quasi-periodic, or irregular variations depending on the type of variable star.
Studying the shape and amplitude of a light curve can provide insights into the physical properties of the star, such as size, temperature, and composition.