What astronomical tool allowed Edwin Hubble to calculate the immense distance to spiral nebulae like Andromeda?

Answer

Measuring Cepheid variable stars

Hubble identified Cepheid variable stars within spiral nebulae and used the period-luminosity relationship of these variables to calculate their true, immense distance, proving they were outside the Milky Way.

What astronomical tool allowed Edwin Hubble to calculate the immense distance to spiral nebulae like Andromeda?
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