Abstract
We present a compilation of Cepheid distance moduli and data for four secondary distance indicators that employ stars in the old stellar populations: the planetary nebula luminosity function (PNLF), the globular cluster luminosity function (GCLF), the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB), and the surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) method. The database includes all data published as of 1999 July 15. The main strength of this compilation resides in the fact that all data are on a consistent and homogeneous system: all Cepheid distances are derived using the same calibration of the period-luminosity relation, the treatment of errors is consistent for all indicators, and measurements that are not considered reliable are excluded. As such, the database is ideal for comparing any of the distance indicators considered, or for deriving a Cepheid calibration to any secondary distance indicator, such as the Tully-Fisher relation, the Type Ia supernovae, or the fundamental plane for elliptical galaxies. This task has already been undertaken by Ferrarese et al., Sakai et al., Kelson et al., and Gibson et al. Specifically, the database includes (1) Cepheid distances, extinctions, and metallicities; (2) reddened apparent λ5007 Å magnitudes of the PNLF cutoff; (3) reddened apparent magnitudes and colors of the turnover of the GCLF (in both the V and B bands); (4) reddened apparent magnitudes of the TRGB (in the I band) and V-I colors at 0.5 mag fainter than the TRGB; and (5) reddened apparent surface brightness fluctuation magnitudes measured in Kron-Cousin I, K', and Kshort, and using the F814W filter with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFPC2. In addition, for every galaxy in the database we give reddening estimates from IRAS/DIRBE as well as H I maps, J2000 coordinates, Hubble and T-type morphological classification, apparent total magnitude in B, and systemic velocity.
Export citation and abstract BibTeX RIS