Toward an internally consistent astronomical distance scale
Abstract
Accurate astronomical distance determination is crucial for all fields in astrophysics, from Galactic to cosmological scales. Despite, or perhaps because of, significant efforts to determine accurate distances, using a wide range of methods, tracers, and techniques, an internally consistent astronomical distance framework has not yet been established. We review current efforts to homogenize the Local Group's distance framework, with particular emphasis on the potential of RR Lyrae stars as distance indicators, and attempt to extend this in an internally consistent manner to cosmological distances. Calibration based on Type Ia supernovae and distance determinations based on gravitational lensing represent particularly promising approaches. We provide a positive outlook to improvements to the status quo expected from future surveys, missions, and facilities. Astronomical distance determination has clearly reached maturity and near-consistency.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1706.07933,
title = {Toward an internally consistent astronomical distance scale},
author = {Richard de Grijs and Frederic Courbin and Clara E. Martinez-Vazquez and Matteo Monelli and Masamune Oguri and Sherry H. Suyu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1706.07933},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
Review article, 59 pages (4 figures); Space Science Reviews, in press (chapter 8 of a special collection resulting from the May 2016 ISSI-BJ workshop on Astronomical Distance Determination in the Space Age)