Cepheid Variables in the Maser-Host Galaxy NGC 4258

TL;DR

This study reports on a ground-based survey of Cepheid variables in NGC 4258, confirming the galaxy's distance measurement via Cepheids aligns with maser-based estimates, and discusses future prospects with LSST.

Contribution

First detailed ground-based Cepheid survey in NGC 4258 confirming distance calibration with maser measurements.

Findings

94 Cepheids detected with periods 7-127 days

Good agreement between Cepheid-based and maser-based distances

Potential for LSST to extend Cepheid searches to 10 Mpc

Abstract

We present results of a ground-based survey for Cepheid variables in NGC 4258. This galaxy plays a key role in the Extragalactic Distance Scale due to its very precise and accurate distance determination via VLBI observations of water masers. We imaged two fields within this galaxy using the Gemini North telescope and GMOS, obtaining 16 epochs of data in the SDSS gri bands over 4 years. We carried out PSF photometry and detected 94 Cepheids with periods between 7 and 127 days, as well as an additional 215 variables which may be Cepheids or Population II pulsators. We used the Cepheid sample to test the absolute calibration of theoretical gri Period-Luminosity relations and found good agreement with the maser distance to this galaxy. The expected data products from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) should enable Cepheid searches out to at least 10 Mpc.