Related papers: AGB Variables as Distance Indicators

We present new theoretical Period-Radius-Metallicity (PRZ) relations for RR Lyrae stars. Current predictions are based on a large set of nonlinear, convective models that cover a broad range of chemical abundances and input parameters. We…

We have extracted a total of 1968 Mira variables from the OGLE-II data base in the Galactic bulge region. Among them, 1960 are associated with 2MASS sources, and 1541 are further identified with MSX point sources. Their photometric…

Semi-regular variables (SRVs) are similar to Miras in brightness, and they also follow PLRs, though not necessarily the same as Miras. As potential standard candles they are more challenging than Miras due to their smaller variability…

Spectroscopic measurements of Mira variable stars, as a function of phase, probe the stellar atmospheres and underlying pulsation mechanisms. For example, measuring variations in TiO, VO, and ZrO with phase can be used to help determine…

Period-luminosity sequences have been shown to exist among the Semi-Regular Variables (SRVs) of the Magellanic Clouds (Wood et al, 1999), the Bulge of the Milky Way galaxy (Glass & Schultheis, 2003) and elsewhere. It would clearly be useful…

The present status of our knowledge of the distances to the Magellanic Clouds is evaluated from a post-Hipparcos perspective. After a brief summary of the effects of structure, reddening, age and metallicity, the primary distance indicators…

We present new period-luminosity and period-luminosity-metallicity relations for Galactic RR Lyrae stars based on a sample of 28 pulsators located at distances up to $1.5$ kpc from the Sun. Near-infrared photometry was obtained at the Cerro…

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…

We present new Spitzer/IRAC observations of 55 dusty Long Period Variables (LPVs, 48 AGB and 6 RSG stars) in the Galaxy that have different chemistry, variability type, and mass-loss rate. O-rich AGB stars (including intrinsic S-type) tend…

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…

Observations from the Heliospheric Imagers (HI-1) on both the STEREO spacecraft have been analysed to search for very long period large amplitude stellar variability, finding 6 new candidates. A total of 85 objects, mostly previously known…

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…

Luminosity correlations of long Gamma-ray bursts (GRB) are extensively proposed as an effective complementarity to trace the Hubble diagram of Universe at high redshifts, which is of great importance to explore properties of dark energy.…

We use theoretical models to establish a tight relationship for the absolute magnitudes of RR Lyrae stars as a function of their periods and Stroemgren pseudo-color c_0 = (u-v)_0 - (v-b)_0. Applying this to RR Lyr, and comparing the result…

We present new theoretical period-luminosity-metallicity (PLZ) relations for RR Lyrae stars (RRL) at Spitzer and WISE wavelengths. The PLZ relations were derived using nonlinear, time-dependent convective hydrodynamical models for a broad…

Mira and semi-regular variable stars have been studied for centuries but continue to be enigmatic. One unsolved mystery is the presence of polarization from these stars. In particular, we present 40 years of polarization measurements for…

Encoded in the time- and wavelength dependent properties of pulsating AGB stars are the underlying fundamental parameters of mass, composition and evolutionary state. However, the standard technique of placing stars on a HR diagram, even…

Our understanding of large amplitude pulsating stars and their status in stellar evolution is briefly reviewed. The paper then describes the near-infrared light curves of various asymptotic giant branch stars, concentrating on possible…

Aims. We study the effects of moderate deviations from solar abundances upon the atmospheric structure and colours of typical Mira variables. Methods. We present two model series of dynamical opacity-sampling models of Mira variables which…

RR Lyrae stars are one of the primary distance indicators for old stellar populations such as globular clusters, dwarf galaxies and galaxies. Typically, fundamental-mode RR Lyr stars are used for distance measurements, and their accuracy is…