Large-Scale Surveys of Pulsating Stars for Studying Stellar Populations in the Inner Galaxy

TL;DR

Recent large-scale infrared surveys have significantly advanced our understanding of pulsating stars like Cepheids and Miras in the inner Galaxy, revealing new stellar populations despite challenges from interstellar extinction.

Contribution

This paper reviews recent discoveries of pulsating stars in the inner Galaxy, highlighting the impact of large-scale surveys and infrared observations on stellar population studies.

Findings

Identification of new Cepheids and Miras in the inner Galaxy

Insights into stellar populations despite interstellar extinction

Enhanced understanding of the distribution of luminous pulsating stars

Abstract

Surveys of pulsating stars in the inner Galaxy have been very limited, but recent large-scale surveys are rapidly bringing us new samples of various kinds of variable stars and new insights into stellar populations therein. Because of the severe interstellar extinction along the Galactic disc, the stellar populations in the inner Galaxy are more easily observed in the infrared, but even in the infrared the interstellar extinction may cause a serious problem in revealing their accurate characteristics. Here we review recent discoveries of Cepheids and Miras, two kinds of luminous pulsating stars with period-luminosity relation, in the inner Galaxy.