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.

scholarly journals Eclipsing Binaries: Tools for Calibrating the Extragalactic Distance Scale

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S240) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alceste Z. Bonanos
Keyword(s):  
Local Group ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Eclipsing Binaries ◽  
Fundamental Parameters ◽  
Andromeda Galaxy ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Extragalactic Distance Scale ◽  
Distance Indicators

AbstractIn the last decade, over 7000 eclipsing binaries have been discovered in the Local Group through various variability surveys. Measuring fundamental parameters of these eclipsing binaries has become feasible with 8 meter class telescopes, making it possible to use eclipsing binaries as distance indicators. Distances with eclipsing binaries provide an independent method for calibrating the extragalactic distance scale and thus determining the Hubble constant. This method has been used for determining distances to eclipsing binaries in the Magellanic Clouds and the Andromeda Galaxy and most recently to a detached eclipsing binary in the Triangulum Galaxy by the DIRECT Project. The increasing number of eclipsing binaries found by microlensing and variability surveys also provide a rich database for advancing our understanding of star formation and evolution.

scholarly journals The Distance Scale of Planetary Nebulae

1978 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 35-46
Author(s):  
Wm. Liller
Keyword(s):  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Stellar Systems ◽  
Lyman Continuum ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
Distance Indicators

The spectacular success of the so-called Shklovsky method of finding distances to planetary nebulae which are optically thin to the Lyman continuum (Shklovsky 1956; see also Minkowski and Aller 1954) has produced within us a rather breath-taking boldness. Following the careful application of this method to more than 600 planetaries by Cahn and Kaler (1971), we now have the audacity to use planetaries as reliable distance indicators to derive an improved model of our own galaxy (Cahn 1976), trace the evolution of stars in their post-giant stages (O'Dell 1974, Cahn and Wyatt 1976), and even determine distances to other stellar systems (Ford, Jenner, and Epps 1973). At the Tatranská Lomnica meeting 10 years ago, there seemed little hope that one day soon planetary nebulae distances would become reliable. That day is near if not here already.

scholarly journals The dark sector cosmology

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 2030014
Author(s):  
Elcio Abdalla ◽  
Alessandro Marins
Keyword(s):  
Dark Energy ◽  
Cosmological Parameters ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Acoustic Oscillations ◽  
Dark Sector ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Observational Techniques ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Theoretical Developments

The most important problem in fundamental physics is the description of the contents of the Universe. Today, we know that 95% thereof is totally unknown. Two thirds of that amount is the mysterious Dark Energy described in an interesting and important review [E. J. Copeland, M. Sami and S. Tsujikawa, Int. J. Mod. Phys. D 15 (2006) 1753]. We briefly extend here the ideas contained in that review including the more general Dark Sector, that is, Dark Matter and Dark Energy, eventually composing a new physical Sector. Understanding the Dark Sector with precision is paramount for us to be able to understand all the other cosmological parameters comprehensively as modifications of the modeling could lead to potential biases of inferred parameters of the model, such as measurements of the Hubble constant and distance indicators such as the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations. We discuss several modern methods of observation that can disentangle the different possible descriptions of the Dark Sector. The possible applications of some theoretical developments are also included in this paper as well as a more thorough evaluation of new observational techniques at lower frequencies and gravitational waves.

scholarly journals Allan Sandage and the distance scale

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 13-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Tammann ◽  
B. Reindl
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Type Ia ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
Ia Supernovae ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
Local Value

AbstractAllan Sandage returned to the distance scale and the calibration of the Hubble constant again and again during his active life, experimenting with different distance indicators. In 1952 his proof of the high luminosity of Cepheids confirmed Baade's revision of the distance scale (H0 ~ 250 km s−1 Mpc−1). During the next 25 years, he lowered the value to 75 and 55. Upon the arrival of the Hubble Space Telescope, he observed Cepheids to calibrate the mean luminosity of nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) which, used as standard candles, led to the cosmic value of H0 = 62.3 ± 1.3 ± 5.0 km s−1 Mpc−1. Eventually he turned to the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) as a very powerful distance indicator. A compilation of 176 TRGB distances yielded a mean, very local value of H0 = 62.9 ± 1.6 km s−1 Mpc−1 and shed light on the streaming velocities in the Local Supercluster. Moreover, TRGB distances are now available for six SNe Ia; if their mean luminosity is applied to distant SNe Ia, one obtains H0 = 64.6 ± 1.6 ± 2.0 km s−1 Mpc−1. The weighted mean of the two independent large-scale calibrations yields H0 = 64.1 km s−1 Mpc−1 within 3.6%.

scholarly journals TheHubble Space TelescopeKey Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale. XXVI. The Calibration of Population II Secondary Distance Indicators and the Value of the Hubble Constant

2000 ◽  
Vol 529 (2) ◽  
pp. 745-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Ferrarese ◽  
Jeremy R. Mould ◽  
Robert C. Kennicutt, Jr. ◽  
John Huchra ◽  
Holland C. Ford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Extragalactic Distance Scale ◽  
Distance Indicators

scholarly journals Observational evidence for a local underdensity in the Universe and its effect on the measurement of the Hubble constant

2019 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Böhringer ◽  
Gayoung Chon ◽  
Chris A. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Galaxy Clusters ◽  
Hubble Parameter ◽  
Cosmological Parameters ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Matter Density ◽  
Cluster Distribution ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
The Universe

For precision cosmological studies it is important to know the local properties of the reference point from which we observe the Universe. Particularly for the determination of the Hubble constant with low-redshift distance indicators, the values observed depend on the average matter density within the distance range covered. In this study we used the spatial distribution of galaxy clusters to map the matter density distribution in the local Universe. The study is based on our CLASSIX galaxy cluster survey, which is highly complete and well characterised, where galaxy clusters are detected by their X-ray emission. In total, 1653 galaxy clusters outside the “zone of avoidance” fulfil the selection criteria and are involved in this study. We find a local underdensity in the cluster distribution of about 30–60% which extends about 85 Mpc to the north and ∼170 Mpc to the south. We study the density distribution as a function of redshift in detail in several regions in the sky. For three regions for which the galaxy density distribution has previously been studied, we find good agreement between the density distribution of clusters and galaxies. Correcting for the bias in the cluster distribution we infer an underdensity in the matter distribution of about −30 ± 15% (−20 ± 10%) in a region with a radius of about 100 (∼140) Mpc. Calculating the probability of finding such an underdensity through structure formation theory in a ΛCDM universe with concordance cosmological parameters, we find a probability characterised by σ-values of 1.3 − 3.7. This indicates low probabilities, but with values of around 10% at the lower uncertainty limit, the existence of an underdensity cannot be ruled out. Inside this underdensity, the observed Hubble parameter will be larger by about 5.5 +2.1−2.8%, which explains part of the discrepancy between the locally measured value of H0 compared to the value of the Hubble parameter inferred from the Planck observations of cosmic microwave background anisotropies. If distance indicators outside the local underdensity are included, as in many modern analyses, this effect is diluted.

scholarly journals MEASURING THE HUBBLE CONSTANT WITH THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Freedman ◽  
R. C. Kennicutt ◽  
J. R. Mould
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Space Telescope ◽  
Peculiar Velocities ◽  
Extragalactic Distance Scale ◽  
Distance Indicators

AbstractTen years ago our team completed the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project on the extragalactic distance scale. Cepheids were detected in some 25 galaxies and used to calibrate four secondary distance indicators that reach out into the expansion field beyond the noise of galaxy peculiar velocities. The result was H0 = 72 ± 8 km s−1 Mpc−1 and put an end to galaxy distances uncertain by a factor of two. This work has been awarded the Gruber Prize in Cosmology for 2009.

scholarly journals Variable stars in the Gaia era: Mira, RR Lyrae, δ and Type-II Cepheids

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (S330) ◽  
pp. 287-296
Author(s):  
Martin A. T. Groenewegen
Keyword(s):  
Variable Stars ◽  
Galactic Structure ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Recent Period ◽  
Mira Variables ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
The Future ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
The Universe

AbstractClassical variables like RR Lyrae, classical and Type-II Cepheids and Mira variables all follow period-luminosity relations that make them interesting as distance indicators. Especially the RR Lyrae and δ Cepheids are crucial in establishing the distance scale in the Universe, and all classes of variables can be used as tracers of galactic structure. I will present an overview of recent period-luminosity relations and review the work that has been done using the Gaia DR1 data so far, and discuss possibilities for the future.

scholarly journals Dust Production around Carbon-Rich Stars: The Role of Metallicity

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Ambra Nanni ◽  
Sergio Cristallo ◽  
Jacco Th. van Loon ◽  
Martin A. T. Groenewegen
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Circumstellar Envelopes ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Universe

Background: Most of the stars in the Universe will end their evolution by losing their envelope during the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase, enriching the interstellar medium of galaxies with heavy elements, partially condensed into dust grains formed in their extended circumstellar envelopes. Among these stars, carbon-rich TP-AGB stars (C-stars) are particularly relevant for the chemical enrichment of galaxies. We here investigated the role of the metallicity in the dust formation process from a theoretical viewpoint. Methods: We coupled an up-to-date description of dust growth and dust-driven wind, which included the time-averaged effect of shocks, with FRUITY stellar evolutionary tracks. We compared our predictions with observations of C-stars in our Galaxy, in the Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) and in the Galactic Halo, characterised by metallicity between solar and 1/10 of solar. Results: Our models explained the variation of the gas and dust content around C-stars derived from the IRS Spitzer spectra. The wind speed of the C-stars at varying metallicity was well reproduced by our description. We predicted the wind speed at metallicity down to 1/10 of solar in a wide range of mass-loss rates.

scholarly journals The effects of peculiar velocities in SN Ia environments on the local H0 measurement

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (3) ◽  
pp. 3728-3742
Author(s):  
Thomas M Sedgwick ◽  
Chris A Collins ◽  
Ivan K Baldry ◽  
Philip A James
Keyword(s):  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Density Parameter ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Peculiar Velocities ◽  
Standard Candle ◽  
Modern Cosmology ◽  
Type Ia ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Ia Supernovae ◽  
Distance Indicators

ABSTRACT The discrepancy between estimates of the Hubble constant (H0) measured from local (z ≲  0.1) scales and from scales of the sound horizon is a crucial problem in modern cosmology. Peculiar velocities (vpec) of standard candle distance indicators can systematically affect local H0 measurements. We here use 2MRS galaxies to measure the local galaxy density field, finding a notable z  <  0.05 underdensity in the SGC-6dFGS region of 27  ±  2 per cent. However, no strong evidence for a ‘Local Void’ pertaining to the full 2MRS sky coverage is found. Galaxy densities are used to measure a density parameter, Δϕ+−, which we introduce as a proxy for vpec that quantifies density gradients along a supernova (SN) line of sight. Δϕ+− is found to correlate with local H0 estimates from 88 Pantheon Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia; 0.02  <  z  <  0.05). Density structures on scales of ∼50 Mpc are found to correlate strongest with H0 estimates in both the observational data and in mock data from the MDPL2-Galacticus simulation. Using trends of H0 with Δϕ+−, we can correct for the effects of density structure on local H0 estimates, even in the presence of biased vpec. However, the difference in the inferred H0 estimate with and without the peculiar velocity correction is limited to < 0.1  per cent. We conclude that accounting for environmentally induced peculiar velocities of SN Ia host galaxies does not resolve the tension between local and CMB-derived H0 estimates.

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