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Concept information

Preferred term

RR Lyrae star  

Definition(s)

  • An RR Lyrae star is a short-period, yellow or white giant pulsating variable. RR Lyrae stars belong to Population II and are often found in globular clusters (hence one of their older names – cluster variables) or elsewhere in the galactic halo. They have periods of 0.2 to 2 days, amplitudes of 0.3 to 2 magnitudes, and spectral types of A2 to F6. Some of them have similar light curves to those of Cepheid variables (earning them the now-obsolete name of cluster Cepheids or short-period Cepheids) and, like Cepheids, obey a period-luminosity relation that enables them to serve as reliable distance indicators. RR Lyrae variables, however, are older, less massive, and fainter (with luminosities typical around 45 times that of the Sun) than Cepheids. (Encyclopedia of Science, by David Darling, https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/R/RR_Lyrae_star.html)

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-WMVTBVL4-7

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