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mishima
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Hi, what is the name of the variable star with the longest period? I know Mira variables are in general the longest, but which particular star has the longest period? Thanks.
A longest period variable star is a type of star that experiences regular cycles of brightness over an extended period of time. These cycles can last for several years or even decades.
The period of a longest period variable star can range from a few years to several decades. Some of the longest known periods are over 1,000 days.
The variability in a longest period variable star is caused by pulsations or changes in the star's luminosity. These changes can be due to internal processes, such as changes in temperature or nuclear reactions, or external factors like interactions with a companion star.
The main difference between a longest period variable star and a short period variable star is the length of their variability periods. Longest period variable stars have periods of several years to decades, while short period variable stars have periods of hours to days.
Scientists study longest period variable stars by observing their brightness over time. This data is then used to create light curves, which show the changes in brightness over the course of a full cycle. They also use spectroscopy to analyze the star's chemical composition and study its pulsations.