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The Hubble constant and Virgo cluster distance from observations of Cepheid variables

Nature volume 371, pages 385–389 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

The distance to the Virgo cluster of galaxies, a primary rung on the ladder to establishing the distance scale of the Universe, 14.9 ± 1.2 Mpc, has been determined through ground-based observations of Cepheid variables in NGC4571. This agrees very well with other modern distance estimates, and the extragalactic distance scale now seems established. Based on this distance, a Hubble constant of H0 = 87 ± 7 km s -1 Mpc -1 has been calculated.

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Author notes

  1. Michael J. Pierce

    Present address: Department of Astronomy, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona, 85726, USA

    Michael J. Pierce

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M1, Canada

    Douglas L. Welch

  3. Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council, 5071 W. Saanich Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8X 4M6, Canada

    Robert D. McClure, Sidney van den Bergh & Peter B. Stetson

  4. Dèpartement de Physique, Universitè de Montrèal, C. P. 6128 Succ. A., Montrèal, PQ H3C 3J7, Canada

    Renè Racine

  5. Visiting Astronomer, Canada-France-Hawaií Telescope,

    Michael J. Pierce, Douglas L. Welch, Robert D. McClure & Renè Racine

Authors
  1. Michael J. Pierce
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  2. Douglas L. Welch
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  4. Sidney van den Bergh
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  5. Renè Racine
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  6. Peter B. Stetson
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Pierce, M., Welch, D., McClure, R. et al. The Hubble constant and Virgo cluster distance from observations of Cepheid variables. Nature 371, 385–389 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/371385a0

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