Cepheid Variables in the Maser-Host Galaxy NGC 4258
  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.
