An internally consistent distance framework in the Local Group
  Accurate and precise astronomical distance determinations are crucial for
derivations of, among others, the masses and luminosities of a large variety of
distant objects. Astronomical distance determination has traditionally relied
on the concept of a `distance ladder.' Here we review our recent attempts to
establish a highly robust set of internally consistent distance determinations
to Local Group galaxies, which we recommend as the statistical basis of an
improved extragalactic distance ladder.
