Research Note
RR Lyrae stars in the outer region of the globular cluster M 3: A shortage of long periods at r ~ 3.5 to 6 arcmin?
Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
Corresponding author: butler@mpia.de
Received:
27
June
2003
Accepted:
31
March
2004
An analysis of the radial distribution of ab-type RR Lyrae star periods
in the outer region of the
globular cluster M 3 at 
has been
performed. That analysis points towards a real
shortage of stars with long periods in the radial distance
range 3.5′
to 6′ (or about 7 to 12 core radii).
A brief discussion is presented. The origin of the phenomenon
remains an open question.
Key words: stars: variables: RR Lyr / stars: horizontal-branch / stars: evolution / globular clusters: general / globular clusters: individual: M 3
© ESO, 2004