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Low-Amplitude Variables: Distinguishing RR Lyrae stars from Eclipsing Binaries

It is not easy to identify and classify low-amplitude variables, but it is important that the classification is done correctly. We use photometry and spectroscopy to classify low-amplitude variables in a 246 deg^2 part of the Akerlof et al. (2002) field. Akerlof and collaborators found that 38% of the RR Lyrae stars in their 2000 deg^2 test field were RR1 (type c). This suggests that these RR Lyrae stars belong to an Oosterhoff Type II population while their period distribution is primarily Oosterhoff Type I. Our observations support their RR0 (type ab) classifications, however 6 of the 7 stars that they classified as RR1 (type c) are eclipsing binaries. Our classifications are supported by spectroscopic metallicities, line-broadening and Galactic rotation measurements. Our 246 deg^2 field contains 16 RR Lyrae stars that are brighter than m_R = 14.5; only four of these are RR1 (type c). This corresponds to an Oosterhoff Type I population in agreement with the period distribution.