The Cosmic Distance Ladder is a series of methods used by astronomers to measure the distances to celestial objects. Each step of the ladder builds on the previous one, starting with nearby objects like the Moon and moving out to distant galaxies. For example, we first measure distances using parallax, which involves observing how nearby stars shift against the background of more distant stars. As we climb higher on the ladder, we use techniques like standard candles, such as Cepheid variables, which have known brightness. By comparing their brightness to how bright they appear from Earth, we can calculate their distance. This systematic approach allows us to understand the vastness of the universe.