Related papers: The Cepheid Instability Strip in the GAIA Era
Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars are important pulsating variable stars in distance scale work because they serve as standard candles. Cepheids follow well-defined period-luminosity (PL) relations defined for bands extending from optical to…
Classical variables like RR Lyrae, classical and Type-II Cepheids and Mira variables all follow period-luminosity relations that make them interesting as distance indicators. Especially the RR Lyrae and delta Cepheids are crucial in…
A number of recent technical developments, including the Hipparcos satellite, the Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance sensors and long base line near-IR interferometry has made it possible to employ several largely geometrical methods to…
We review the current status of classical Cepheid and RR Lyrae distance scales. We discuss the most recent theoretical and empirical findings together with pros and cons of different methods. The use of Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars as…
In this invited review I discuss the calibration and applications of the period-luminosity relation of classical Cepheid and RR Lyrae stars. After a brief introduction, starting with results from Hipparcos and discussing some post-Hipparcos…
We discuss recent theoretical and empirical results concerning cosmic distances and discuss the problems affecting the Cepheid and the RR Lyrae distance scales. In particular, we outline the key role that first overtone Cepheids can play to…
This paper discusses the current uncertainties in luminosity calibration of the RR Lyrae variables. The difference in distance moduli between the SMC and LMC as derived from RR Lyrae stars and classical Cepheids is used to estimate a…
The extragalactic distance scale relies heavily on Cepheids. However, it has become clear from observations and pulsation models that the slope and zero point of their P-L relations differ from galaxy to galaxy. This makes the determination…
The RR Lyrae distance scale is reviewed. In particular, we discuss theoretical and empirical methods currently adopted in the literature. Moreover, we also outline pros and cons of optical and near-infrared mean magnitudes to overcome some…
Classical pulsating stars such as Cepheid and RR Lyrae variables exhibit well-defined Period-Luminosity relations at near-infrared wavelengths. Despite their extensive use as stellar standard candles, the effects of metallicity on…
We examine the overall consistency of the primary distance indicators and ways for a satisfactory resolution of the Cepheid-RR Lyrae zero point discrepancy.
The separation between RR Lyrae (RRLs) and Type II Cepheid (T2Cs) variables based on their period is debated. Both types of variable stars are distance indicators and we aim to promote the use of T2Cs as distance indicators in synergy with…
Recent work on the luminosities of type II Cepheids (CephIIs) and RR Lyrae variables is reviewed.In the near infrared (JHKs) the CephIIs in globular clusters show a narrow, linear, period-luminosity relation over their whole period range…
RR Lyrae (RR Lyr) stars are a well-known and useful distance indicator for old stellar populations such as globular clusters and dwarf galaxies. Fundamental-mode RR Lyr (RRab) stars are commonly used to measure distances, and the accuracy…
Pulsating stars, such as Cepheids, Miras, and RR Lyrae stars, are important distance indicators and calibrators of the "cosmic distance ladder", and yet their period-luminosity-metallicity (PLZ) relations are still constrained using simple…
We present some recent findings concerning the use of RR Lyrae as distance indicators and stellar tracers. We outline pros and cons of field and cluster RR Lyrae stars and discuss recent theoretical findings concerning the use of the Bailey…
On the basis of new theoretical results useful predictions concerning the Period-Luminosity (PLR) and Period-Luminosity-Color (PLCR) relations both for optical and infrared magnitudes are presented. It is shown that, following the…
The Cepheid Period-Luminosity relation is unquestionably one of the most powerful tools at our disposal for determining the extragalactic distance scale. While significant progress has been made in the past few years towards its…
Preliminary evidence is presented reaffirming that SX Phe, RR Lyrae, and Type II Cepheid variables may be characterized by a common Wesenheit period-magnitude relation, to first order. Reliable distance estimates to RR Lyrae variables and…
Classical Cepheid and RR Lyrae variables are radially pulsating stars that trace young and old-age stellar populations, respectively. These classical pulsating stars are the most sensitive probes for the precision stellar astrophysics and…