standard candle

noun

1. a unit of luminous intensity; the candela: not in scientific usage because of possible confusion with a former unit (international candle) See also candela international candle

Example Sentences

The peak brightness of a Type Ia supernova is so strong and steady that astronomers use them as ‘standard candles’ to calculate distances in the universe and the rate at which our Universe expands!

From Space Scoop

Pegging the distance to a Cepheid via parallax allows astronomers to calibrate the relationship between its brightness and variability, making it a workhorse “standard candle” for estimating greater cosmic distances.

From Scientific American

They are standard candles, objects of known brightness, and became a key tool for Hubble.

From Literature

Wendy Freedman, an astronomer at the University of Chicago, uses a certain class of red giant stars as her preferred standard candle.

From Scientific American

The aftermath of these explosions, known as supernovae, are so readily classifiable that they are called "standard candles," meaning observations of their brightness can be used to calculate distance.

From Salon