Imaging the Surface of Altair
John D. Monnier (1), M. Zhao (1), E. Pedretti (2), N. Thureau (3), M., Ireland (4), P. Muirhead (5), J.-P. Berger (6), R. Millan-Gabet (7), G. Van, Belle (7), T. ten Brummelaar (8), H. McAlister (8), S. Ridgway (9), N. Turner, (8), L. Sturmann (8), J. Sturmann (8)
TL;DR
This paper presents a high-resolution near-infrared image of Altair, revealing gravity darkening effects on its distorted surface, challenging standard stellar rotation models.
Contribution
First direct imaging of Altair's surface showing gravity darkening, highlighting the need for revised models of stellar rotation and surface brightness distribution.
Findings
Detected gravity darkening on Altair's surface
Standard uniform rotation models are insufficient
Indications of differential rotation or alternative gravity darkening laws
Abstract
Spatially resolving the surfaces of nearby stars promises to advance our knowledge of stellar physics. Using optical long-baseline interferometry, we present here a near-infrared image of the rapidly rotating hot star Altair with <1 milliarcsecond resolution. The image clearly reveals the strong effect of gravity darkening on the highly-distorted stellar photosphere. Standard models for a uniformly rotating star can not explain our results, requiring differential rotation, alternative gravity darkening laws, or both.
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