The variable stars in the field of NGC 6139: a critical approach to their reddening and membership

We present a CCD VI time-series analysis of the globular cluster NGC 6139 and its variable star population. Using the astrometric data available in Gaia-DR3, we performed a membership analysis that enabled the construction of a clean colour-magnitude diagram (CMD). Variable stars in the field of the cluster reported by Gaia-DR3 and newly discovered ones in this paper are classified and their membership is critically evaluated. We report two cluster members RRc (V12, V15) and four SR (V13, V14, V17, V18) not previously detected and assign variable names to V11 and V16 detected by Gaia as they proof to be cluster members. Light curves and periods for non-member Gaia eclipsing binaries, semiregular variables, and newly detected RR Lyrae stars are provided. Fourier decomposition of the light curves of the cluster member RRab and RRc stars leads to the values [Fe/H] = -1.63 dex, and distance of 9.63 ± 0.68 kpc. The Oosterhoff type II nature of the cluster is confirmed. We adopted the mean reddening E(B - V) = 0.786 mag and performed a differential reddening analysis based on the dispersion of the red giant branch. The differential map allowed a mild correction of the CMD.