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Title: THE ARAUCARIA PROJECT: ON THE TIP OF THE RED GIANT BRANCH DISTANCE DETERMINATION TO THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS

Journal Article · · Astronomical Journal (Online)

We present a precise optical and near-infrared determination of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) brightness in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (respectively, LMC and SMC). The commonly used calibrations of the absolute magnitude of the TRGB lead to an overestimation of the distance to the LMC and SMC in the K band, and an underestimation of the distance in the optical I band for both galaxies. Reported discrepancies are at the level of 0.2 mag, with respect to the very accurate distance determinations to both MCs based on late-type eclipsing binaries. The differential distances between the LMC and SMC obtained in the J and K bands, and for the bolometric brightness are consistent with each other, and with the results obtained from eclipsing binaries and other distance indicators.

OSTI ID:
22663010
Journal Information:
Astronomical Journal (Online), Vol. 151, Issue 6; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1538-3881
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English