New results on the Cepheid distance scale

We have applied an approximately Bayesian analysis to the calculation of Cepheid distances and radii using the surface brightness (Baade-Wesselink) method and a fully Bayesian analysis to the errors-in-variables portion of that problem. We demonstrate these methods on the Galactic Cepheid distance scale. We are successful in properly accounting for errors in the data and in providing unbiased distance estimates. The approximately Bayesian analysis also provides effective model selection on the radial velocity curve. Based on a representative sample of five stars, our new analyses support the distance scale of Gieren, Barnes, & Moffett (1993) and do not show bias in the calculation of those distances as suggested by Laney & Stobie (1995).