The farthest one is nearly halfway to the Andromeda Galaxy.
By measuring the brightness of the stars, the team has been able to confirm the theoretical estimates of galactic distances and will continue to use the data to refine galactic models.
"This robust sample of distant RR Lyrae stars gives us a very powerful tool for studying the halo and testing our current models of the size and mass of our galaxy," Feng said. The team is presenting its research at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle on January 9 and 11.
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