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| Paper: |
Long-Period Variables in 'Local' Galaxies: M81 |
| Volume: |
135, A Half Century of Stellar Pulsation Interpretations: a Tribute to Arthur N. Cox |
| Page: |
390 |
| Authors: |
Hughes, S. M. G. |
| Abstract: |
Most Long-Period variables (LPVs) are members of the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB), and hence one of the main reasons for studying LPVs is to understand the AGB, and how it varies in nearby galaxies. So far the only AGB LPVs to be identified in external galaxies are those in the Magellanic Clouds. Using HST, a total of 25 LPVs have now been identified in a galaxy beyond the local group, namely two fields in M81. Their period, color and luminosity distributions are used to constrain how important an effect galactic environment (i.e. metallicity) is in the formation of AGB progenitor stars. An important bonus of studying LPVs is that they possess a precise PL relation, which will be a very useful check against the distance derived from Cepheids in the Extragalactic Distance Scale key project. |
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