A Database of Cepheid Distance Moduli and Tip of the Red Giant Branch, Globular Cluster Luminosity Function, Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function, and Surface Brightness Fluctuation Data Useful for Distance Determinations

Abstract

We present a compilation of Cepheid distance moduli and data for four\nsecondary distance indicators that employ stars in the old stellar populations:\nthe planetary nebula luminosity function (PNLF), the globular cluster\nluminosity function (GCLF), the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB), and the\nsurface brightness fluctuation (SBF) method. The database includes all data\npublished as of July 15, 1999. The main strength of this compilation resides in\nall data being on a consistent and homogeneous system: all Cepheid distances\nare derived using the same calibration of the period-luminosity relation, the\ntreatment of errors is consistent for all indicators, measurements which are\nnot considered reliable are excluded. As such, the database is ideal for\ninter-comparing any of the distance indicators considered, or for deriving a\nCepheid calibration to any secondary distance indicator. Specifically, the\ndatabase includes: 1) Cepheid distances, extinctions and metallicities; 2)\napparent magnitudes of the PNLF cutoff; 3) apparent magnitudes and colors of\nthe turnover of the GCLF (both in the V- and B-bands); 4) apparent magnitudes\nof the TRGB (in the I-band) and V-I colors at and 0.5 magnitudes fainter than\nthe TRGB; 5) apparent surface brightness fluctuation magnitudes I, K', K_short,\nand using the F814W filter with the HST/WFPC2. In addition, for every galaxy in\nthe database we give reddening estimates from DIRBE/IRAS as well as HI maps,\nJ2000 coordinates, Hubble and T-type morphological classification, apparent\ntotal magnitude in B, and systemic velocity. (Abridged)\n