THE DISTANCE TO THE GALACTIC-CENTER OBTAINED BY INFRARED PHOTOMETRY OF RR LYRAE VARIABLES

We report K-band photometry of 58 RR Lyraes in the field of Baade's Window (l = 1 degrees, b = -3.9 degrees). Using a metallicity- and reddening-insensitive relation between M(K) and log P for RR Lyraes in this field and in another at l = 0 degrees, b = -12 degrees studied by Fernley et al. [MNRAS, 226, 927 (1987)], we derive the distance to the galactic center. Using the distance scale of Carney et al. [ApJ, 386, 663 (1992)], we find R(0) = 7.8 +/- 0.4 kpc. Adjusting that distance scale's zero point to yield an LMC distance modulus (m - M)(0) 18.5 mag results in R(0) = 8.9 +/- 0.5 kpc. Including the systematic uncertainties from the two different distance scales results in R(0) = 8.3 +/- 1.0 kpc. We discuss some implications for the star formation history in the bulge using the derived distances. (C) 1995 American Astronomical Society.