First Results from the CHARA Array. I. An Interferometric and Spectroscopic Study of the Fast Rotator α Leonis (Regulus)

2005/01/13 by Harold A. McAlister, H. A. McAlister, T. A. ten Brummelaar +24 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Galaxy #Interferometry #Optics #Physics #Polar #Position angle #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/430730

published as Astrophys.J. 628 (2005) 439-452 · Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, 44 pages w/ 14 figures

arxiv created 2005/01/13 · openalex publication_date 2005/07/18 · arxiv updated 2012/08/27 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06

Abstract

We report on K -band interferometric observations of the bright, rapidly rotating star Regulus (type B7 V) made with the CHARA Array on Mount Wilson, California. Through a combination of interferometric and spectroscopic measurements, we have determined for Regulus the equatorial and polar diameters and temperatures, the rotational velocity and period, the inclination and position angle of the spin axis, and the gravity darkening coefficient. These first results from the CHARA Array provide the first interferometric measurement of gravity darkening in a rapidly rotating star and represent the first detection of gravity darkening in a star that is not a member of an eclipsing binary system.

Citations

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