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tmwong
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why variable stars have various magnitudes? and y they are changing periodically?
It would take all day to answer that question - try here, then Google on "variable star" if you need more information.tmwong said:why variable stars have various magnitudes? and y they are changing periodically?
Variable stars are stars that have changing levels of brightness over time. This change in brightness can occur periodically, irregularly, or in a semi-regular pattern.
Variable stars change magnitudes periodically due to physical processes happening within the star. These processes can include pulsations, stellar rotation, and interactions with neighboring stars in a binary system. The frequency and amplitude of these changes can provide valuable information about the internal structure and evolution of the star.
The different types of variability in variable stars are caused by a variety of factors. For pulsating variable stars, the changes in brightness are caused by internal processes such as expansion and contraction of the star's outer layers. For eclipsing variable stars, the changes in brightness are caused by one star passing in front of the other from our perspective. Other causes of variability include star spots, stellar flares, and changes in the star's atmosphere.
Scientists study variable stars by observing their changes in brightness using telescopes and specialized instruments, such as photometers and spectrographs. The data collected from these observations is then analyzed to understand the physical processes causing the variability and to classify the type of variable star.
Studying variable stars has many applications in astronomy and astrophysics. By understanding the processes causing the variability, scientists can gain insights into the inner workings of stars and how they evolve over time. Variable stars also serve as important distance indicators, helping scientists measure distances to far-off objects in the universe. Additionally, studying variable stars can provide valuable information about the formation and evolution of galaxies.