Shaanxi Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lintong 710600, China
Abstract:
On the basis of radial velocity and Hipparcos proper motion data, we have analyzed the galactic kinematics of classical Cepheids. Using the 3-D Ogorodnikov-Milne model we have determined the rotational velocity of the Galaxy to be V0 = 240.5 ± 10.2 km/s, on assuming a glactocentric distance of the Sun of R0 = 8.5 kpc. The results clearly indicate a contracting motion in the solar neighbourhood of (?Vθ?θ)/R = ?2.60 ± 1.07 km s?1 kpc?1, along the direction of galactic rotation. Possible reason for this motion is discussed. The solar motion found here is S = 18.78 ± 0.86 km/s in the direction l = 54.4° ± 2.9° and b = +26.6° ± 2.6°.