RR Lyrae variables in Omega Centauri: a theoretical route
Abstract
We present a theoretical approach to infer information about RR Lyrae variables from the morphology of their light curves. The method, already successfully applied to the field first overtone variable U Comae, is now tested on a RR variable in the globular cluster Cen. We show that, with this method, it could be possible to give an estimate of the distance modulus of the cluster with an uncertainty not larger than 0.1 mag. The predicted variable luminosity and mass are well within the range of theoretical evolutionary expectations giving the ``feeling'' of a full compatibility between pulsational and evolutionary theory. However, before completely relying on the method, further tests are needed; the goal is that a well tested and well calibrated pulsational theory could provide reliable distance moduli from just one (or few) RR Lyrae stars.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0112130,
title = {RR Lyrae variables in Omega Centauri: a theoretical route},
author = {V. Castellani and S. Degl'Innocenti and M. Marconi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0112130},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
11 pages with 9 eps figs, newpasp.sty, to be published in the "Omega Centauri: a Unique Window into Astrophysics" (Cambridge, Aug. 2001), ASP Conf. Ser. edited by F. van Leeuwen, G. Piotto,and J. Hughes