Technique · The Cosmic Distance Ladder
The Cosmic Distance Ladder
The chain of methods, each calibrating the next, that measures the universe: geometric parallax for nearby stars, standard candles for nearby galaxies, and redshift for the far reaches. The mismatch between its rungs is at the heart of today's Hubble tension.
The Cosmic Distance LadderMeasures: Distance across the whole universe
Highlights
- ›Each rung calibrates the next, out to the horizon
Builds on
Knowledge connections
- Member of groupThe Cosmic Distance Ladder
- Associated withThe Hubble Constant
- Associated withRR Lyrae Stars
- Associated withTip of the Red Giant Branch
- Associated withSurface Brightness Fluctuations
- Associated withTully–Fisher Relation
- Associated withFaber–Jackson Relation
- Associated withWater Megamaser Distances
- Associated withSH0ES
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.