Final answer:
The correct order for methods used to determine distances from nearest to farthest is B) parallax, main-sequence fitting, Cepheid variables, Hubble's law. This order follows the cosmic distance ladder where each method is based on the previous one.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct sequence that lists the methods for determining distance from nearest to farthest is B) parallax, main-sequence fitting, Cepheid variables, Hubble's law. Parallax measurements provide a base for the cosmic distance ladder and are considered the most accurate for nearby stars, as they do not rely on assumptions but on direct geometric measures. Main-sequence fitting, which relies on parallax data for calibration, allows astronomers to estimate distances to stars both nearby and in distant clusters. Cepheid variables, with established period-luminosity relationships, serve as a crucial rung on the distance ladder for measuring faraway stars within our own and nearby galaxies. Finally, Hubble's law, which relates the redshift of a galaxy to its distance from us, is used for objects at the farthest reaches. This hierarchical method embodies the increasing complexity and reach of observations used to measure distances in the universe.