A first view with GAIA on KIC 8462852 - distance estimates and a comparison to other F stars

Distance estimates from Gaia parallax and expected luminosities are compared for KIC 8462852. Gaia DR1 yields a parallax of $2.55\pm 0.31$mas, that is a distance of $391.4\begin{array}{c}+53.6\\ -42.0\end{array}$pc, or $391.4\substack{+122.1 \ -75.2}$pc including systematic uncertainty. The distance estimate based on the absolute magnitude of an F3V star and measured reddening is $\sim 454\pm 35$pc. Both estimates agree within $<1\sigma$, which only excludes some of the most extreme theorized scenarios for KIC 8462852. Future Gaia data releases will determine the distance to within 1% and thus allow for the determination a precise absolute luminosity.