Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all

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Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all
Xenus Offer Upgrade User ID: 1066790 Australia 01/13/2011 01:56 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all Standard candles are astronomical objects that make up the rungs of the so-called cosmic distance ladder, a tool for measuring the distances to farther and farther galaxies. The ladder's first rung consists of pulsating stars called Cepheid variables, or Cepheids for short. Measurements of the distances to these stars from Earth are critical in making precise measurements of even more distant objects. Each rung on the ladder depends on the previous one, so without accurate Cepheid measurements, the whole cosmic distance ladder would come unhinged. Now, new observations from Spitzer show that keeping this ladder secure requires even more careful attention to Cepheids. The telescope's infrared observations of one particular Cepheid provide the first direct evidence that these stars can lose mass-or essentially shrink. This could affect measurements of their distances. "We have shown that these particular standard candles are slowly consumed by their wind," said Massimo Marengo of Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, lead author of a recent study on the discovery appearing in the Astronomical Journal. "When using Cepheids as standard candles, we must be extra careful because, much like actual candles, they are consumed as they burn." [link to www.physorg.com] Just goes to show that our measurement of distances in space is not 100% effective nor accurate. And when you begin to assume things and base other observations on assumptions which may be flawed, it will taint any results gained. Last Edited by Xenus on 01/13/2011 01:57 AM

Anonymous Coward User ID: 1085869 Canada 01/13/2011 02:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all It would not take much of an error to create a huge discrepancy at interstellar distances either. I also have to ponder upon how many of these celestial instruments have, in relative terms ceased to exist long ago.
m_astera User ID: 1228185 Venezuela 01/13/2011 02:18 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all What total horseshit. The light and heat from stars are electric arc phenomena. Lower the current, less light given off by the plasma arc. Same thing as turning down the current on an arc welder. Losing mass my ass. Are these people really that blind or just stupid and stuck?
Anonymous Coward User ID: 1237693 Brazil 01/20/2011 08:39 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all What total horseshit. The light and heat from stars are electric arc phenomena. Lower the current, less light given off by the plasma arc. Same thing as turning down the current on an arc welder. Losing mass my ass. Are these people really that blind or just stupid and stuck? Quoting: m_astera If the Electric Universe is accepted we'll have to redefine our entire cosmology, it's easier to keep it the way it is. After all, you know, papers must be published right?
714 User ID: 1219139 United States 01/20/2011 08:43 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all the number of "assumptions" made by science is astounding. Exalted is He from what they utter. Exalted is He from what they imagine. Exalted is He that exists without a place. Exalted is He that was there forever without a time or a beginning. Exalted is He that will be there forever without a time or an end. Exalted is He that will forever be praised. That is your God.
Anonymous Coward User ID: 1236739 Canada 01/20/2011 09:10 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation	Re: Cosmology standard candle not so standard after all What total horseshit. The light and heat from stars are electric arc phenomena. Lower the current, less light given off by the plasma arc. Same thing as turning down the current on an arc welder. Losing mass my ass. Are these people really that blind or just stupid and stuck? If the Electric Universe is accepted we'll have to redefine our entire cosmology, it's easier to keep it the way it is. After all, you know, papers must be published right? Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1237693 well, it is about time we tossed out the trash, it has been cluttering up the libraries and the schools for far too long. Just think of all the work that would be created by that. Result: What unemployment problem?
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