The cosmic distance scale and the Hubble constant

Nature ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 366 (6453) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Fukugita ◽  
C. J. Hogan ◽  
P. J. E. Peebles
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Cosmic Distance Scale

Five Crucial Tests of the Cosmic Distance Scale Using the Galaxy as Fundamental Standard

1982 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. de Vaucouleurs
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Short Scale ◽  
Step Procedure ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Extragalactic Distance Scale ◽  
Cosmic Distance Scale

The traditional approach to the extragalactic distance scale rests on a pyramid of primary, secondary and tertiary indicators of increasing range and decreasing accuracy. This multi-step procedure, fraught with the danger of cumulative errors, has led in recent years to two main, widely diverging scales: the ‘long’ scale (Sandage and Tammann 1974, 1975, 1976) implying a Hubble constant and the ‘short’ scale (de Vaucouleurs 1978, 1979; de Vaucouleurs and Bollinger 1979; de Vaucouleurs and Peters 1981; de Vaucouleurs et al. 1981) leading to H0 ≃ 100. Several authors have already shown that the long scale rests on very precarious foundations (Capaccioli and Fasano 1980, de Vaucouleurs 1981, Hanes 1980); counter arguments have been offered in its defence and to criticize the short scale (Tammann, Sandage and Yahil 1979, Sandage and Tammann 1982). For want of a conclusive test a consensus was still lacking.

scholarly journals Distance Indicators in the Magellanic Clouds

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Stellar Systems ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
The Universe

In talking about the overall distance scale of the Universe and the Hubble Constant, the Magellanic Clouds are good places to start. They are stellar systems large enough to contain stars, clusters and nebulae of all types, covering a wide age range. With modern telescopes and detectors, we are able to observe stars from the very bright down to those fainter intrinsically than our own Sun. From comparative studies, we may thus establish our basic calibrations of bright objects before moving out to measure the Universe at large. At the same time, the fact that both Magellanic Clouds are independently evolving galaxies, enables us to separate the effects of stellar age and chemical evolution on the calibrations that we make.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document