Why are Type Ia supernovae valuable tools in cosmology?
Answer
They act as standard candles for measuring vast cosmic distances.
Type Ia supernovae are highly prized in astrophysics because they are considered 'standard candles' for distance measurement across the cosmos. This utility stems from the consistent physics behind their ignition: since they originate from white dwarfs detonating near a fixed maximum mass (the Chandrasekhar limit), the intrinsic peak luminosity of these explosions is nearly uniform. By comparing this known intrinsic brightness to how bright they appear from Earth, astronomers can precisely calculate the distance to the host galaxy with a reliability unmatched by other transient events, enabling accurate mapping of the universe's expansion.
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