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Whose observations first measured the distance to another galaxy?

AstronomyGalaxies

Quick Answer

Edwin Hubble used observations of Cepheid variable stars to measure the Andromeda Nebula’s distance in 1923. This showed it was a separate galaxy.

The Full Story

Edwin Hubble identified a Cepheid variable star in Andromeda and used its brightness period relation to estimate the nebula’s distance. His result showed in 1923 that Andromeda lay far beyond the Milky Way. That discovery changed the scale of the universe overnight. It proved that spiral nebulae could be entire galaxies in their own right.

Key Facts

1.Hubble’s key observation was made in 1923
2.He used a Cepheid variable star
3.Andromeda is a separate galaxy from the Milky Way

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"The measurement that made the universe suddenly much bigger."