Eclipsing Binaries: Tools for Calibrating the Extragalactic Distance Scale

Over 7000 eclipsing binaries have been discovered in the Local Group through various variability surveys in the last decade. Measuring fundamental parameters of these eclipsing binaries has become feasible with 8 meter class telescopes, making it possible to use eclipsing binaries as distance indicators. Distances with eclipsing binaries provide an independent method for calibrating the extragalactic distance scale and thus determining the Hubble constant. I will review the distance determinations to eclipsing binaries in the LMC, SMC and M31 and present the DIRECT Project distance determination to a detached binary in M33.