Question

Careful measurements reveal that a star maintains a steady apparent brightness at most times except that at precise intervals of 127 hours the star becomes dimmer for about 4 hours. The most likely explanation is that Careful measurements reveal that a star maintains a steady apparent brightness at most times except that at precise intervals of 127 hours the star becomes dimmer for about 4 hours. The most likely explanation is that:________

a. the star is a white dwarf.
b. the star is periodically ejecting gas into space, every 127 hours.
c. the star is a Cepheid variable.
d. the star is a member of an eclipsing binary star system.

Answer 1

d. the star is a member and also a part of an eclipsing binary star system.

Step-by-step explanation:

If any star happens to be brighter for an extended period of time, however, at some times, it becomes dimmer, is due to the fact that the star is being overshadowed (hiding behind another star that is known as eclipse).

The above-mentioned eclipsing binary star system is essentially what has been defined. It occurs when two stars' orbit planes are so similar that one star will obscure (the light) of the other.

Thus, option D is correct.