Light curves and period changes of type II cepheids in the globular clusters M3 and M5

Abstract

Light curves in the B, V, and Ic passbands have been obtained for the type II Cepheids V154 in M3 and V42 and V84 in M5. Alternating cycle behavior, similar to that seen among RV Tauri variables, is confirmed for V84. Old and new observations, spanning more than a century, show that V154 has increased in period while V42 has decreased in period. V84, on the other hand, has shown large, erratic changes in period that do not appear to reflect the long-term evolution of V84 through the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram.