A distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud that is precise to one per cent

Understand

In the era of precision cosmology, it is essential to empirically determine the Hubble constant with an accuracy of one per cent or better.

• At present, the uncertainty on this constant is dominated by the uncertainty in the calibration of the Cepheid period - luminosity relationship (also known as Leavitt Law).
• The Large Magellanic Cloud has traditionally served as the best galaxy with which to calibrate Cepheid period-luminosity relations, and as a result has become the best anchor point for the cosmic distance scale.
• Eclipsing binary systems composed of late-type stars offer the most precise and accurate way to measure the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud.