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Differential Interferometry allows to obtain the differential visibility and phase, in addition to the spectrum. The differential phase contains important information about the structure and motion of stellar photosphere such as stellar spots and non-radial pulsations, and particularly the rotation. Thus, this interferometric observable strongly helps to constrain the stellar fundamental parameters of fast rotators. The spectro-astrometry mainly uses the photocentre displacements, which is a first approximation of the differential phase, and is applicable only for unresolved or marginally objects. We study here the sensitivity of relevant stellar parameters to the simulated photocentres using the SCIROCCO code: a semi-analytical algorithm dedicated to fast rotators, applied to two theoretical modeling stars based on Achernar and Regulus, in order to classify the importance of these parameters and their impact on the modeling. We compare our simulations with published VLTI/AMBER data. This current work sets the limits of application of photocentre displacements to fast rotators, and under which conditions we can use the photocentres and/or the differential phase, through a pre-established physical criterion. To validate our theoretical study, we apply our method of analysis on observed data of the edge-on fast rotator Regulus. For unresolved targets, with a visibility $V\sim 1$, the photocentre can constrain the main stellar fundamental parameters of fast rotators, whereas from marginally resolved objects ($0.8 \leq V < 1$), mainly the rotation axis position angle ($\rm PA_{\rm rot}$) can be directly deduced from the vectorial photocentre displacement, which is very important for young cluster studies.

We analyse interferometric data obtained for Regulus with AMBER (Astronomical Multi- BEam combineR) at high spectral resolution ($\lambda/\delta\lambda \approx 12000$) across the Br$\gamma$ spectral line. The study of the photocentre displacement allows us to constrain a large number of stellar parameters -- equatorial radius $R_{\rm eq}$, equatorial velocity $V_{\rm eq}$, inclination $i$, rotation-axis position angle $PA_{\rm rot}$, and flattening -- with an estimation of gravity-darkening coefficient $\beta$ using previously published theoretical results. We use the Simulation Code of Interferometric-observations for ROtators and CirCumstellar Objects (SCIROCCO), a semi-analytical algorithm dedicated to fast rotators. We chose Regulus because it is a very well-known edge-on star, for which an alternative approach is needed to check the previously published results. Our analysis showed that a significant degeneracy of solution is present. By confronting the results obtained by differential interferometry with those obtained by conventional long-base interferometry, we obtain similar results (within the uncertainties), thereby validating our approach, where $V_{eq}$ and $i$ are found separately. From the photocentre displacement, we can independently deduce $PA_{rot}$. We use two minimization methods to restrict observed stellar parameters via a fast rotator model: a non-stochastic method ($\chi^2$ fit) and a stochastic one (Markov Chain Monte Carlo method), in order to check whether the correct global minimum is achieved particularly with respect to the degeneracies of the gravity darkening parameter $\beta$, where we demonstrate, using a quantitative analysis of parameters, that the estimate of $\beta$ is easier for stars with an inclination angle of around $45^\circ$., Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, MNRAS article

The rapidly rotating primary component of Regulus A system has been observed, for the first time, using the technique of differential interferometry at high spectral resolution. The observations have been performed across the Br$_\gamma$ spectral line with the VLTI/AMBER focal instrument in high spectral resolution mode (R $\approx$ 12000) at $\approx$ 80-130m (projected on the sky) Auxiliary Telescopes triplet baseline configurations. We confirm, within the uncertainties, the results previously obtained using the techniques of classical long-baseline interferometry, although the question of anomalous gravity darkening remains open for the future study.

Context: We present the results of an extensive ground-based photometric and spectroscopic campaign on the gamma Dor CoRoT target HD49434. This campaign was preparatory to the CoRoT satellite observations, which took place from October 2007 to March 2008. Results: The frequency analysis clearly shows the presence of four frequencies in the 0.2-1.7 c/d interval, as well as six frequencies in the 5-12 c/d domain. The low frequencies are typical for gamma Dor variables while the high frequencies are common for delta Sct pulsators. We propose the frequency 2.666 c/d as a possible rotational frequency. All modes, for which an identification was possible, seem to be high-degree modes (3 <= l <= 8). We did not find evidence for a possible binary nature of HD49434. The element abundances we derived are consistent with the values obtained in previous analyses. Conclusions: We classify the gamma Dor star HD49434 as a hybrid pulsator, which pulsates simultaneously in p- and g-modes. This finding makes HD49434 an extremely interesting target for asteroseismic modelling. Observations: Based on observations made with the 2.2m ESO/MPI telescope at the La Silla Observatory under the ESO Large Programme: LP178.D-0361. Also based on observations obtained at Observatorio de Sierra Nevada (Spain), at the Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman at Calar Alto (Spain), at Observatorio Astronomico Nacional San Pedro Martir (Mexico), at the Piszkesteto Mountain Station of Konkoly Observatory (Hungary), at Observatoire de Haute Provence (France) and at Mount John University Observatory (New Zealand)., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, 9 tables accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

We present results of a spectroscopic study of 37 southern (candidate) gamma Doradus stars based on echelle spectra. The observed spectra were cross-correlated with the standard template spectrum of an F0-type star for an easier detection of binary and intrinsic variations. We identified 15 objects as spectroscopic binaries, including 7 new ones, and another 3 objects are binary suspects. At least 12 objects show composite spectra. We could determine the orbital parameters for 9 binaries, of which 4 turn out to be ellipsoidal variables. For 6 binaries, we estimated the expected time-base of the orbital variations. Clear profile variations are observed for 17 objects, pointing towards stellar pulsation. For 8 of them, we have evidence that the main spectroscopic and photometric periods coincide. Our results, in combination with prior knowledge from the literature, lead to the classification of 10 objects as new bona-fide gamma Doradus stars, 1 object as new bona-fide delta Scuti star, and 8 objects as constant stars. Finally, we determined the projected rotational velocity with two independent methods. The resulting vsini values range from 3 to 135 km/s. For the bona-fide gamma Doradus stars, the majority has vsini below 60 km/s., Comment: 13 pages (+ 10 pages online material), 10 (+16) figures. Accepted for publication by A&A

We present the first VLTI/MIDI observations of the Be star Alpha Ara, showing a nearly unresolved circumstellar disk in the N band. The interferometric measurements made use of the UT1 and UT3 telescopes. The projected baselines were 102 and 74 meters with position angles of 7 degres and 55 degres, respectively. These measurements put an upper limit to the envelope size in the N band under the Uniform disk approximation of $\phi_{\rm max}= 4\pm1.5$ mas, corresponding to 14 $R_{\star}$, assuming $R_{\star}$=4.8${\rm R}_\odot$ and the Hipparcos distance of 74pc. On the other hand the disk density must be large enough to produce the observed strong Balmer line emission. In order to estimate the possible circumstellar and stellar parameters we have used the SIMECA code developed by Stee (1995) and Stee & Bittar (2001). Optical spectra taken with the echelle instrument Heros and the ESO-50cm telescope, as well as infrared ones from the 1.6m Brazilian telescope have been used together with the MIDI spectra and visibilities. These observations put complementary constraints on the density and geometry of Alpha Ara circumstellar disk. We discuss on the potential truncation of the disk by a companion and we present spectroscopic indications of a periodic perturbation of some Balmer lines., Comment: Accepted in A&A

We present the first results of a 2-year high-resolution spectroscopy campaign of 59 candidate Gamma Doradus stars which were mainly discovered from the HIPPARCOS astrometric mission. More than 60 % of the stars present line profile variations which can be interpreted as due to pulsation related to Gamma Doradus stars. For all stars we also derived the projected rotation velocity (up to more than 200 km\s). The amplitude ratios 2K/Delta m for the main HIPPARCOS frequency are in the range 35 - 96 (km\s)\mag. Less than 50 % of the candidates are possible members of binary systems, with 20 stars being confirmed Gamma Doradus. At least 6 stars present composite spectra, and in all but one case (for which only one spectrum could be obtained), the narrow component shows line profile variations, pointing towards an uncomfortable situation if this narrow component originates from a shell surrounding the star. This paper is the first of a series concerning mode identification using both photometric and spectroscopic methods for the confirmed Gamma Doradus stars of the present sample., Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for Astronomy & Astrophysics

We report here the first observations of a rapidly rotating Be star, $\alpha$ Eridani, using Earth-rotation synthesis on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) Interferometer. Our measures correspond to a $2a/2b = 1.56\pm0.05$ apparent oblate star, $2a$ and $2b$ being the equivalent uniform disc angular diameters in the equatorial and polar direction. Considering the presence of a circumstellar envelope (CSE) we argue that our measurement corresponds to a truly distorted star since $\alpha$ Eridani exhibited negligible H$\alpha$ emission during the interferometric observations. In this framework we conclude that the commonly adopted Roche approximation (uniform rotation and centrally condensed mass) should not apply to $\alpha$ Eridani. This result opens new perspectives to basic astrophysical problems, such as rotationally enhanced mass loss and internal angular momentum distribution. In addition to its intimate relation with magnetism and pulsation, rapid rotation thus provides a key to the Be phenomenon: one of the outstanding non-resolved problems in stellar physics., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, Accepted for Publication in A&A Letter