India, Sept. 1 -- A new study by researchers at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune has taken a major step forward in measuring how fast the universe is expanding. The research team, led by Professor Anupam Bhardwaj, has used a special kind of star called the 'Mira variable star' to get one of the most precise measurements of the Hubble constant (the expansion rate of the universe).

As per the information given by IUCAA scientists, Mira, also known as Omicron Ceti, is a famous star that changes its brightness regularly. These are giant stars in the last stages of their life. The important thing about Mira stars is that their brightness is linked to how long their cycle is. Because of this, astronome...