Variable stars in the field of the Galactic bulge globular cluster NGC 6522

Abstract

We present a comprehensive analysis of the variable stars projected on the field of the Galactic bulge globular cluster NGC 6522, offering valuable insights into their characteristics. Using proper motions from Gaia-DR3, we aim to distinguish between field stars and true cluster members. For an accurate color-magnitude diagram of the member stars, we produced a differential reddening map. We detect and discuss the peculiarities of variable stars of the types RR Lyrae, type II Cepheids, Long Period Variables (LPV) and eclipsing binaries, whose light curves are available through the OGLE III and IV databases. Notably, we explore the variable V24, which shows a prominent phase modulation resulting from period changes in a time scale of 1100 days. The variable stars among the cluster members serve as indicators of the cluster metallicity and distance; these determinations are based on their light curves. With the Fourier light curve decomposition of three RRc stars, we have derived the following cluster parameters: the metallicity in the spectroscopic scale $\text{[Fe/H]}_{\mathrm{UVES}}=-1.16 \pm 0.09$ [Fe/H] UVES = − 1.16 ± 0.09 ; and the mean distance $D=8.77 \pm 0.16$ D = 8.77 ± 0.16 kpc.