Absolute Magnitudes of RR Lyrae Stars

Extract

In discussing the absolute magnitudes of RR Lyrae stars, I concur in the importance of the question but I would, at the outset, like to insert a word of caution: It seems to me most likely that the M_b of RR Lyrae stars is not an immutable constant but depends on the original composition of the star. I will come back to this point later.

The principal point of view which I shall emphasize is rather different from that of most observers. The observer is usually interested in using the RR Lyrae stars as a means to calibrate distances and thereby looks out from the star to the Galaxy and then to the Cosmos. In contrast, the interests of the theorist look inward and he views the RR Lyrae stars as convenient fixed points for the comparison of theory with observation.

At present, the theory of stellar structure is tied to fitting the Sun. We all know the difficulties in the solar neutrino experiment which casts some doubt on whether we even understand the Sun. But we have few if any cases of evolved stars where we know M, L, R, to check our stellar evolution calculations.

We are now in desperate need of new fixed points where we can compare observation and the theory of stellar structure and evolution. The RR Lyrae or Cepheid type variables provide excellent examples for this comparison of observation and calculation. They are in late stages of evolution where tests are needed, they are readily identifiable, and well observed, and already the knowledge of the period provides a very precise mass-radius relationship so that a complete determination of the model will be provided by only a few additional measures.