On the Oosterhoff Classification of the Unusual, Metal-Rich Globular Clusters NGC 6388 and NGC 6441

Abstract

We discuss the Oosterhoff classification of the unusual, metal-rich globular clusters NGC 6388 and NGC 6441, on the basis of new evolutionary models computed for a range of metallicities. Our results confirm the difficulty in unambiguously classifying these clusters into either Oosterhoff group, and also question the view that RR Lyrae stars in Oosterhoff type II globular clusters can all be evolved from a position on the blue zero-age horizontal branch.