Archived Hubble Makes 1st Precise Distance Measurement to Globular Star Cluster (nasa.gov)
submitted ago by killer7
Posted by: killer7
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Archived on: 7/6/2018 10:00:00 AM
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Archived Hubble Makes 1st Precise Distance Measurement to Globular Star Cluster (nasa.gov)
submitted ago by killer7
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[–] [deleted] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
[–] Crensch 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
It was almost impossible until we found what's called a standard candle. That is, a way to ensure that twinkling lights out there are at a known quantity of brightness.
We found that standard candle in supernovae. They are all equally bright.
Light disperses at 1 over the distance squared, and with the knowledge of how bright something is supposed to be, and how bright it looks, you can calculate its distance from you.
Fun fact: The lack of standard candles is why Hubble's (the man, not the telescope) calculations were wrong originally, leading to a calculation that the universe was only 1.5 billion years old; younger than the planet was already known to be at the time.
Fun fact: Supernovae are the brightest things in the universe.
[–] Rakosman 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Quasars are the brightest objects in the universe, which are generated from supermassive black holes. Although, I don't know if they are in specifically visible light.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] Native 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
Space doesn't exist because we live on a Flat Earth
[–] carlip ago
it's all relative.
[–] TwistedSista ago
Look up, look waaaay up, IT'S FUCKING FAR!!