Variable stars in the field of the globular cluster E3

We present the results of a search for variable stars in the faint sparse globular cluster E3. We have found two variable stars: an SX Phe variable (V1) and a W UMa eclipsing binary (V2). We have applied period-luminosity and period-color-luminosity relations to the variables to obtain their distance moduli. V1 seems to be a blue straggler belonging to E3, based on its distance modulus and location on the CMD. V2 is probably located behind the cluster, in the Milky Way halo. We also present V/B-V and V/V-I color magnitude diagrams of E3.