Supporting the Cosmic Distance Ladder

TNRTB Archive – Retained for reference information

Big bang cosmology received another boost from distance measurements to a galaxy in the Local Group. Accurate distance measurements are critical to ensuring that a scientific model of the cosmos reflects reality. One test scientists apply to ensure the accuracy of length scales is to measure the distance to the same object using multiple techniques. Consistent results provide confidence in the measurement. A team of astronomers used Cepheid variables (pulsating variable stars) to measure the distance to the local-group galaxy NGC 6822. Their result was in excellent agreement with other teams who used different methods, such as looking at red-giant stars. Such consistency buttresses the validity of a big bang model of the universe, and thus of RTB’s cosmic creation model (which incorporates big bang cosmology).

• Wolfgang Gieren et al., “The Araucaria Project: An Accurate Distance to the Local Group Galaxy NGC 6822 from Near-infrared Photometry of Cepheid Variables,” Astrophysical Journal 647 (2006): 1056-64.
• https://iopscience.iop.org/0004-637X/647/2/1056
• Related Resource
• Hugh Ross, “A Beginner’s—and Expert’s—Guide to the Big Bang”
• Product Spotlight
• Journey Toward Creation, 2nd ed., with Hugh Ross