On the determination of absolute magnitude zero-points from HIPPARCOS parallaxes

Koen, Chris; Laney, Dave

South Africa

Abstract

The period-luminosity (PL) relation zero-point determination from Hipparcos trigonometric parallaxes of Cepheids is contentious. It is shown that the method used by Feast & Catchpole is equivalent to a standard minimization of sum of squares, and that it is free of Lutz-Kelker bias. The same technique is applied to RR Lyrae and field HB star data, the PL relation being replaced by a luminosity-metallicity relation.

1998 Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hipparcos 34