Young stellar distance indicators and the extragalactic distance scale

Abstract

The extragalactic distance scale is perhaps the most important application of stellar distance indicators. Among these, classical Cepheids are high-accuracy standard candles that support a $1.4\%$ measurement of Hubble's constant, $H_0$. The accuracy of Cepheid distances is thus directly relevant for understanding the implications of the Hubble tension, the $>5\sigma$ discord among direct, late-Universe $H_0$ measurements and $H_0$ values inferred from the early Universe observations assuming $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. This invited review aims to provide an accessible overview of the state of the art distance ladder that has established the Hubble tension, with a focus on Cepheids, their absolute calibration using trigonometric parallaxes from the ESA mission Gaia, and other Cepheid-related systematics. New observational facilities such as JWST and upcoming large surveys will provide exciting avenues to further improve distance estimates based on Cepheids.