The spelling of the term "standard candle" follows the traditional English pronunciation patterns. The first syllable "stan" is pronounced with the short "a" sound followed by "duh" and the "d" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar stop /d/. The second syllable "ard" is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a tapped /ɹ/, then the vowel "uh" and the nondescript consonant /d/. The final syllable "candle" is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by the nasal consonant /n/, then the vowel "d" and finally the consonant /l/. Thus, the word is pronounced as /ˈstændərd ˈkændəl/.
A standard candle refers to a term widely employed in astronomy and cosmology to describe a particular class of celestial objects that can be used to measure distances across vast cosmic scales. Specifically, it refers to a type of star or astronomical object with a known intrinsic brightness, enabling astronomers to estimate their distances by comparing their observed brightness with their known luminosity. This method relies on the concept that the apparent brightness of an object decreases as its distance increases due to the inverse square law of radiation propagation.
By making use of standard candles, astronomers have the ability to determine the vast distances between celestial objects, galaxies, and clusters, thereby aiding in the understanding and study of the large-scale structure of the universe. One example of a standard candle is a type Ia supernova, a massive explosion marking the end of life for certain types of stars. These supernovae have a very consistent luminosity, making them ideal for measuring cosmic distances. Other examples include Cepheid variables, a type of pulsating star with a period of variability that correlates with its actual luminosity, and the Tully-Fisher relation, which correlates the luminosity of spiral galaxies with their rotational speed.
In summary, a standard candle is an astronomical object with a known intrinsic brightness that serves as a calibrated reference to measure distances across the vastness of the universe.
A spermaceti candle burning 2 grains a minute, used as a standard of light, called candle-power.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.