Baade Corrects an Error in the Cepheid Luminosity Scale
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science
- Subcategories: Scientists, Astronomy, Astronomers, Cosmology
- Curriculum: American History 1951-present
- Geographical Location: Rome
- Date: August, 1952
Article abstract: Baade reconciled the several puzzling discrepancies in the distance determinations to nearby galaxies by proposing that the Cepheid luminosity scale was in error.
Summary of Event
The meeting of the International Astronomical Union held in Rome, Italy, in August, 1952, was rocked by a remarkable announcement by an attendee from California, Walter Baade of the Mount Wilson and Palomar observatories. Baade revealed to the great surprise of many in attendance, that the universe must be twice as big as had been thought previously. This...
[The entire page is 2190 words long]
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