Measuring the Distances to Stars and Galaxies

[McHeathen]

As I understand it we can use the principle of parallax to measure distances to objects within 400 light years from Earth. So how are the further stars and galaxies calculated?

 

[cesiumfrog]

Usually by comparing brightness with nearby objects of the same type.

 

[ranger]

Here is an interesting link:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mstardistance.html

 

[Chronos]

This is so bad I don't know quite where to start. Parallax is the displacement between foreground and background objects. You measure it with yardsticks.

 

[cesiumfrog]

This is so bad I don't know quite where to start. Parallax is the displacement between foreground and background objects. You measure it with yardsticks.

..by yardsticks, you mean, comparison to solar system scales??

Are you the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board's Chronos?