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The tip-of-the-red-giant-branch distance indicator and the structure of the nearest galaxy groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2013

Lidia Makarova
Affiliation:
Special Astrophysical Observatory, Nizhnij Arkhyz, Karachai–Cherkessian Republic, Russia, 369167 email: [email protected]
Dmitry Makarov
Affiliation:
Special Astrophysical Observatory, Nizhnij Arkhyz, Karachai–Cherkessian Republic, Russia, 369167 email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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The tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) is one of the most accurate distance indicators to galaxies in the Local Universe (for distances up to 8–10 Mpc). A distance accuracy as high as 5% can be achieved with the recently developed maximum-likelihood implementation of the TRGB method and modern calibrations. In this paper, we consider in detail TRGB distance determinations to nearby groups of galaxies (within 8 Mpc). We discuss the photometric accuracy and describe colour–magnitude-diagram features of nearby dwarf galaxies and their influence on the accuracy of distance determination. We have determined accurate structures of the two nearest galaxy groups, M81 and Cen A, using observations of galaxies in these groups with the Hubble Space Telescope's WFPC2 and ACS instruments. The new technique allows us to see new details in the distribution of galaxies in the Canes Venatici i Cloud.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013

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