Hyades cluster: motion, membership, and distance

These have been used to investigate the Hyades convergent point and distance. A detailed review of the foundations of the convergent-point method, its applicability to the Hyades, the several mathematical variations of the method, and its possible role in producing the apparent discrepancy between previous Hyades proper motion results and "secondary" Hyades distance indicators, has been carried out.

The convergent-point method, as applied to the Hyades, is entirely valid, and cannot be the source of any significant error in the Hyades distance. Systematic errors in meridian circle proper motions are implicated as the cause of the observed Hyades distance discrepancy. The convergent-point analysis of the new absolute Hyades proper motions represents the first Hyades distance determination independent of all meridian circle proper motion systems.