The luminosity and kinematics of RR Lyrae stars in the solar neighbourhood

An improved maximum-likelihood statistic has been used to determine the absolute magnitude and kinematics of local RR Lyrae variables from a statistical and secular parallax analysis of proper motions and radial velocities. The analysis indicates a 'best-buy' absolute magnitude (at mean intensity) of =+0.75+-0.2. It is shown that the analysis reconciles the divergent results of previous authors. No statistically significant evidence is found for any correlation between absolute magnitude and metallicity. However, there is a correlation between systemic rotation and both metallicity and period. (author)