Title:
Obtaining the First DIRECT Distance to M33


Alceste Bonanos
Harvard University

Abstract:

Distances to nearby galaxies are only known to an accuracy of
10-15%. Up till now, these distances have been measured using
standard candles, which introduce systematic uncertainties. The
DIRECT Project aims to obtain direct, accurate (to 5%) distances
to two Local Group galaxies, M31 and M33. In this talk, I will
describe the DIRECT project and its use of detached eclipsing
binaries and the Baade-Wesselink method for Cepheids for
obtaining distances, and focus on the recent progress made in
obtaining the first direct distance to M33.  I will also discuss
a project that uses the brightest eclipsing binaries from DIRECT
and other surveys of nearby galaxies to study the most massive
stars in the nearby Universe.