Theoretical framework for RR Lyrae. II. MIR data

The PLZ relations were derived using nonlinear, time-dependent convective hydrodynamical models for a broad range of metal abundances (Z=0.0001-0.0198). In deriving the light curves, we tested two sets of atmospheric models and found no significant difference between the resulting mean magnitudes.

We also compare our theoretical relations to empirical relations derived from RRLs in both the field and in the globular cluster M4. Our theoretical PLZ relations were combined with multi-wavelength observations to simultaneously fit the distance modulus, {mu}0, and extinction, A_V_, of both the individual Galactic RRL and of the cluster M4. The results for the Galactic RRL are consistent with trigonometric parallax measurements from Gaia's first data release.