  Knowing the distance of an astrophysical object is key to understanding it.
However, at present, comparisons of theory and observations are hampered by
precision (or lack thereof) in distance measurements or estimates. Putting the
many recent results and new developments into the broader context of the
physics driving cosmic distance determination is the next logical step, which
will benefit from the combined efforts of theorists, observers and modellers
working on a large variety of spatial scales, and spanning a wide range of
expertise. IAU Symposium 289 addressed the physics underlying methods of
distance determination across the Universe, exploring the various approaches
employed to define the milestones along the road. The meeting provided an
exciting snapshot of the field of distance measurement, offering not only
up-to-date results and a cutting-edge account of recent progress, but also full
discussion of the pitfalls encountered and the uncertainties that remain. One
of the meeting's main aims was to provide a roadmap for future efforts in this
field, both theoretically and observationally.
