Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars in the K2 fields

L. Molnár, E. Plachy, R. Szabó

Published 2014-05-29Version 1

With the step-and-stare approach of the K2 mission, Kepler will be able to observe a large number of Cepheid an RR Lyrae stars. In this paper we describe the target selection efforts, and the first impressions based on the K2 two-wheel engineering test data. We also summarize the scientific goals that can be achieved by Kepler, including the understanding of the various additional modes and the Blazhko effect, population studies and the possibilities to observe extragalactic stars in selected campaigns.