Cepheid variables are used to derive a Virgo cluster distance of 16.0/-1.5 Mpc. In conjunction with the mean Coma radial velocity and the w
ell-established Coma/Virgo distance ratio, this yields a Hubble parame
ter H-0=81+/-8 km s(-1) Mpc(-1). By combining this value with an age o
f the Universe greater than or similar to 16.8+/-2.1 Gyr that is deriv
ed from the metal-poor globular cluster M92, one obtains f(Omega,Lambd
a)greater than or similar to 1.39+/-0.22. This value is only marginall
y consistent with an Einstein-de Sitter universe with Omega=0 and Lamb
da=0, which has f=1. An Einstein-de Sitter universe with Omega=1 and L
ambda=0, for which f=2/3, appears to be excluded at the 3 sigma level.
It is shown that some recent small values of H-0 may have resulted fr
om the large intrinsic dispersion in the linear diameters of galaxies,
and from the fact that well-observed supernovae of Type Ia exhibit a
luminosity range of similar to 20 at maximum light. A representative s
ample of recent estimates of H-0 is given in Table 1. The median value
of the Hubble parameter from the data in this table is H-0 = 72 km s(
-1) Mpc(-1), from which f(Omega,Lambda)greater than or similar to 1.24
.