Cepheid

/ sē′fē-ĭd,sĕf′ē- /

1. Any of a class of variable stars whose luminosity fluctuates with an extremely regular period. There is a strong correlation between the absolute magnitude of a Cepheid's luminosity and its period. By comparing the apparent magnitude of a Cepheid to the absolute magnitude corresponding to its period, it is possible to determine fairly accurately how distant the Cepheid is from Earth.
2. Also called Cepheid variable

Example Sentences

The "Cepheid," her sister ship, had gone along on seven of the trips, and added to the total.

From Project Gutenberg

They started down the corridor, and came presently to the huge locks where the "S Doradus" and the "Cepheid" were berthed.

From Project Gutenberg

Shapley has estimated the distances of many of these bodies, which contain a large number of variable stars of the Cepheid type.

From Project Gutenberg

Some stars pulsed, like the Cepheid variables, but in an orderly way.

From Project Gutenberg

And then for an instant, the Cepheid's bright wink was dulled; eclipsed.

From Project Gutenberg