Subsystems of RR Lyrae variable stars in our Galaxy

Abstract

We have used published, high-accuracy, ground-based and satellite proper-motion measurements, a compilation of radial velocities, and photometric distances to compute the spatial velocities and Galactic orbital elements for 174 RR Lyrae (ab) variable stars in the solar neighborhood. The computed orbital elements and published heavy-element abundances are used to study relationships between the chemical, spatial, and kinematic characteristics of nearby RR Lyrae variables. We observe abrupt changes of the spatial and kinematic characteristics at the metallicity [Fe/H]≈−0.95 and also when the residual spatial velocities relative to the LSR cross the critical value Vres≈290 km/s. This provides evidence that the general population of RR Lyrae stars is not uniform and includes at least three subsystems occupying different volumes in the Galaxy. Based on the agreement between typical parameters for corresponding subsystems of RR Lyrae stars and globular clusters, we conclude that metal-rich stars and globular clusters belong to a rapidly rotating and fairly flat, thick-disk subsystem with a large negative vertical metallicity gradient. Objects with larger metal deficiencies can, in turn, be subdivided into two populations, but using different criteria for stars and clusters. We suggest that field stars with velocities below the critical value and clusters with extremely blue horizontal branches form a spherical, slowly rotating subsystem of the protodisk halo, which has a common origin with the thick disk; this subsystem has small but nonzero radial and vertical metallicity gradients. The dimensions of this subsystem, estimated from the apogalactic radii of orbits of field stars, are approximately the same. Field stars displaying more rapid motion and clusters with redder horizontal branches constitute the spheroidal subsystem of the accreted outer halo, which is approximately a factor of three larger in size than the first two subsystems. It has no metallicity gradients; most of its stars have eccentric orbits, many display retrograde motion in the Galaxy, and their ages are comparatively low, supporting the hypothesis that the objects in this subsystem had an extragalactic origin.