Differential Rotation in F Stars

TL;DR

This study investigates how differential rotation varies among F stars, revealing correlations with color and rotation but not activity, using Fourier transform analysis of spectral line profiles.

Contribution

It provides the first large-scale analysis of differential rotation in F stars, linking it to stellar color and rotation speed.

Findings

More differential rotation in cooler, slower-rotating F stars

No correlation between differential rotation and stellar activity

Sample analysis constrained by intertwined effects of rotation and color

Abstract

Differential rotation can be detected in single line profiles of stars rotating more rapidly than about $v \sin{i} = 10$ km s$^{-1}$ with the Fourier transform technique. This allows to search for differential rotation in large samples to look for correlations between differential rotation and other stellar parameters. I analyze the fraction of differentially rotating stars as a function of color, rotation, and activity in a large sample of F-type stars. Color and rotation exhibit a correlation with differential rotation in the sense that more stars are rotating differentially in the cooler, less rapidly rotating stars. Effects of rotation and color, however, cannot be disentangled in the underlying sample. No trend with activity is found.