Stellar Candles for the Extragalactic Distance Scale

Barry F. Madore, Wendy L. Freedman (auth.), Danielle Alloin, Wolfgang Gieren (eds.)3540201289, 9783540201281

This volume reviews the current status with respect to both theory and observation of the extragalactic distance scale. A sufficient accuracy is required both for a precise determination of the cosmological parameters and also in order to achieve a better understanding of physical processes in extragalactic systems. The “standard candles”, used to set up the extragalactic distance scale, reviewed in this book include cepheid variables, RR Lyrae variables, novae, Type Ia and Type II supernovae as well as globular clusters and planetary nebulae.

Table of contents :
The HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale: A Search for Three Numbers….Pages 1-20
Calibration of the Distance Scale from Cepheids….Pages 21-44
Current Uncertainties in the Use of Cepheids as Distance Indicators….Pages 45-70
The Cepheid Calibration of Type Ia Supernovae as Standard Candles….Pages 71-83
RR Lyrae Distance Scale: Theory and Observations….Pages 85-104
Globular Cluster Distances from RR Lyrae Stars….Pages 105-122
Blue Supergiants as a Tool for Extragalactic Distances — Theoretical Concepts….Pages 123-148
Blue Supergiants as a Tool for Extragalactic Distances — Empirical Diagnostics….Pages 149-174
Supernovae as Cosmological Standard Candles….Pages 175-185
Type Ia Supernovae and Cosmology….Pages 187-202
Models for Type Ia Supernovae and Cosmology….Pages 203-227
Novae as Distance Indicators….Pages 229-241
Extragalactic Distances from Planetary Nebulae….Pages 243-263
Distances to Local Group Galaxies….Pages 265-279
The Globular Cluster Luminosity Function: New Progress in Understanding an Old Distance Indicator….Pages 281-305