Who Do Stars Pulsate?

Pulsating variable stars are intrinsic variables as their variation in brightness is due to a physical change within the star. In the case of pulsating variables this is due to the periodic expansion and contraction of the surface layers of the stars.

What kind of stars pulsate?

Cepheid Variables are very luminous stars, 500 to 300,000 times greater than the sun, with short periods of change that range from 1 to 100 days. They are pulsating variables that expand and shrink dramatically within a short period of time, following a specific pattern.

Do pulsating stars change color?

Stars with a pulse

Scientists use a magnitude scale for star brightness. ... Besides changing brightness by 8 magnitudes, it also varies in color, appearing reddest when it is at its dimmest. Its distance is poorly known, but appears to be around 300 light years.