What was Henrietta Leavitt's most important contribution to astronomy?
A) the spectral typing of stars
B) the relationship of stellar spectral type to temperature
C) the period-luminosity relation of Cepheid variables
D) the discovery of interstellar reddening

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Henrietta Leavitt's most significant contribution to astronomy was discovering the relationship between the period and luminosity of Cepheid variables. This allowed astronomers to determine the distance to other galaxies and led to the development of the cosmic distance ladder.

What Was Henrietta Leavitt's Most Important Contribution to Astronomy