Predictions of distance within the Local Group

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Abstract
We assume that the Local Group of galaxies is an isolated collection of objects, of which only the Milky Way and M31 have dynamically significant masses. We further demanded that the galaxies in the Local Group emerged from near its barycenter at the Big Bang. This allows one to find the paths these objects have taken to reach their present positions. These positions are uncertain because the distances are not known, however, paths exist for only a limited range of present distances to the objects. We find what these ranges are as a function of the age of the Universe and the ratio of the Milky Way to M31 masses. Results for 21 objects are shown. These results can be compared to measurements to obtain limits on the age of the Universe and the mass ratio. The results for NGC 6822 show that the mass of the Milky Way is at least half that of M31. Further distance measurements are necessary to narrow the limits on the age, the most useful galaxy in this pursuit being IC 5152.

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