Mathematical Underpinnings of the Multi-Wavelength Structure of the TRGB

Abstract

We consider the application of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) in the optical and in the near infrared for the determination of distances to nearby galaxies. We analyze ACS VI (F555W & F814W) data and self-consistently cross-calibrate WFC3-IR JH (F110W & F120W) data using and absolute magnitude calibration of M_I = -4.05 mag as determined in the LMC using detached eclipsing binary star geometric parallaxes. We demonstrate how the optical and near-infrared calibrations of the TRGB method are mathematically self-consistent, and illustrate the mathematical basis and relations amongst these multi-wavelength calibrations. We go on to present a method for determining the reddening, extinction and the true modulus to the host galaxy using multi-wavelength data. The power of the method is that with high-precision data, the reddening can be determined using the TRGB stars themselves, and decreases the systematic (albeit generally small) uncertainty in distance due to reddening for these halo stars.

Accepted to the Astronomical Journal Order of authors changed in updated version

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• Coordinated JWST Imaging of Three Distance Indicators in a SN Host Galaxy and an Estimate of the TRGB Color Dependence
• The red giant branch tip in the SDSS, PS1, JWST, NGRST and Euclid photometric systems. Calibration in optical passbands using Gaia DR3 synthetic photometry
• The Astrophysical Distance Scale: V. A 2% Distance to the Local Group Spiral M33 via the JAGB Method, Tip of the Red Giant Branch, and Leavitt Law
• RGB Tip distance to the faint gas-rich dwarf KK 153