2023/07/06 by Michele Cantiello, John P. Blakeslee, Cantiello, Michele +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Measurement and Metrology Techniques #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO) #FOS: Physical sciences #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2307.03116
openalex publication_date 2023/07/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The Surface Brightness Fluctuation (SBF) method is a powerful tool for determining distances to early-type galaxies. The method measures the intrinsic variance in a galaxy's surface brightness distribution to determine its distance with an accuracy of about 5%. Here, we discuss the mathematical formalism behind the SBF technique, its calibration, and the practicalities of how measurements are performed. We review the various sources of uncertainties that affect the method and discuss how they can be minimized or controlled through careful observations and data analysis. The SBF technique has already been successfully applied to a large number of galaxies and used for deriving accurate constraints on the Hubble-Lemaître constant H0. An approved JWST program will greatly reduce the systematic uncertainties by establishing a firm zero-point calibration using tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) distances. We summarize the existing results and discuss the excellent potential of the SBF method for improving the current constraints on H0.