Modelling RR Lyrae pulsation: mission (im)possible?

Abstract

In order to make an in-depth comparison between theory and observations, we analyse the light and velocity curves of various hydrodynamical models simulating RRab stars. The observations are represented by empirical formulae, derived in this and our earlier papers. It is shown that the overwhelming majority of the models tested do not follow the empirical relations regarding the shape of the light curves and the physical parameters. In almost all cases the luminosities predicted from the model light curves are significantly lower than the corresponding model values. The overall discrepancy of the models is an important indication of the limitation of the applicability of the present theoretical light and velocity curves in the determination of the physical parameters of these stars. In transforming the theoretical data to the observed light curves in V colour and in computing the observed radial velocities, it is shown that both bolometric correction and tracing the line-forming regions have considerable effects on the evaluation of the observed quantities. In an effort to resolve the discrepancy between theory and observations, it is suggested that a proper evaluation of the bolometric correction and radial velocity based on complete dynamical atmosphere models may be a useful step in this direction.