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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
The RR Lyrae variables are currently believed to have masses between about 0.5 and 0.8 M⊙, effective surface temperatures between 6350 and 7500K, radii from about 4.0 to 6.0 R⊙ and luminosities between log L/L⊙ of 1.5 and 2.0. Since they are found in population II locations, they generally have Y = 0.3 and Z = 10−3 , but there are exceptions for both higher Z like the sun and lower Z like 0.0002. In globular clusters the periods range from 0.25 - 0.45 day for the first overtone pulsators and 0.40 - 0.80 day for those in the fundamental mode, depending on their luminosity. At transition lines, to be discussed in detail below, the switch from fundamental to first overtone, or maybe vice versa, involves a period change factor of about 0.74 - 0.75.