pulsating stars

Pulsating stars are variable stars that expand and contract rhythmically, causing their brightness to change over time. These size fluctuations are driven by internal processes, such as changes in temperature and pressure within the star's outer layers. As the star expands, it cools and dims; as it contracts, it heats up and brightens. This pulsation occurs at regular intervals, making these stars valuable for studying stellar properties and distances in the universe. Well-known examples include Cepheid variables and RR Lyrae stars, which serve as important cosmic distance markers.