A Distance Measurement to M33 Using Optical Photometry of Mira Variables

Abstract

We present a systematic analysis to determine and improve the pulsation periods of 1637 known long-period Mira variables in M33 using $gri$-band light curves spanning $\sim 18$~years from several surveys, including M33 variability survey, Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), intermediate PTF, and Zwicky Transient Facility. Based on these collections of light curves, we found that optical band light curves that are as complete as possible are crucial to determine the periods of distant Miras. We demonstrated that the machine learning techniques can be used to classify Miras into O-rich and C-rich based on the $(J-K_s)$ period--color plane. Finally, We derived the distance modulus to M33 using O-rich Miras at maximum light together with our improved periods as $24.67\pm 0.06$~mag, which is in good agreement with the recommended value given in the literature.

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Cited by in corpus (3)

• Apocalypse When? No Certainty of a Milky Way -- Andromeda Collision
• The outskirts of M33: Tidally induced distortions versus signatures of gas accretion
• Zwicky Transient Facility and Globular Clusters: the gr-Band Period-Luminosity Relations for Mira Variables at Maximum Light and Their Applications to Local Galaxies