An internally consistent distance framework in the Local Group

Abstract

Accurate and precise astronomical distance determinations are crucial for derivations of, among others, the masses and luminosities of a large variety of distant objects. Astronomical distance determination has traditionally relied on the concept of a `distance ladder.' Here we review our recent attempts to establish a highly robust set of internally consistent distance determinations to Local Group galaxies, which we recommend as the statistical basis of an improved extragalactic distance ladder.

5 pages; to appear in: Stellar Populations and the Distance Scale, eds Jenkins J., Rich R.M., & de Grijs R., Peking University (China), September 2017, Astron. Soc. Pac. Conf. Ser