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| Paper: |
Imaging Rapid Rotators |
| Volume: |
487, Resolving The Future Of Astronomy With Long-Baseline Interferometry |
| Page: |
137 |
| Authors: |
Monnier, J. D.; Che, X.; Zhao, M.; ten Brummelaar, T. |
| Abstract: |
The combination of the long-baseline CHARA Array and the four-beam
“imaging” combiner MIRC has revolutionized the study of rapidly
rotating stars. Here we give an overview of our group's results from
the past five years. In this time, we have verified the basic
“gravity darkening” paradigm for rapidly rotating stars, originally
outlined by von Zeipel nearly 90 years ago. We have found that the
original gravity darkening parameter derived by von Zeipel (1924) is
far too high to match observations, and recommend a value of
0.19 (instead of 0.25). Our modeling of β Cas led to unexpected
constraints on core-envelope coupling, and we conclude that effective
coupling persists even on the fast-evolving subgiant branch.
Lastly, we outline a
new method (“oblateness method”) for measuring the mass of a single
star based on interferometric imaging and spectral measurements of
vs in i. We end this brief review with a look towards the future
and the exciting potential for visible light imaging and
spectro-interferometry—all with existing instrumentation and
demonstrated capabilities. |
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