The first view of $\delta$ Scuti and $\gamma$ Doradus stars with the TESS mission

TL;DR

This paper presents the first asteroseismic analysis of $\,delta$ Scuti and $\,gamma$ Doradus stars observed by TESS, revealing insights into pulsation models, amplitude suppression, and stellar parameters.

Contribution

It provides the first TESS-based classification and analysis of these pulsators, testing theoretical models and refining stellar parameters with new high-frequency data.

Findings

74% amplitude suppression factor due to TESS passband

Identification of high-frequency pulsators in the sample

Refined stellar parameters for SX Phoenicis

Abstract

We present the first asteroseismic results for $\delta$ Scuti and $\gamma$ Doradus stars observed in Sectors 1 and 2 of the TESS mission. We utilise the 2-min cadence TESS data for a sample of 117 stars to classify their behaviour regarding variability and place them in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram using Gaia DR2 data. Included within our sample are the eponymous members of two pulsator classes, $\gamma$ Doradus and SX Phoenicis. Our sample of pulsating intermediate-mass stars observed by TESS also allows us to confront theoretical models of pulsation driving in the classical instability strip for the first time and show that mixing processes in the outer envelope play an important role. We derive an empirical estimate of 74% for the relative amplitude suppression factor as a result of the redder TESS passband compared to the Kepler mission using a pulsating eclipsing binary system. Furthermore, our sample contains many high-frequency pulsators, allowing us to probe the frequency variability of hot young $\delta$ Scuti stars, which were lacking in the Kepler mission data set, and identify promising targets for future asteroseismic modelling. The TESS data also allow us to refine the stellar parameters of SX Phoenicis, which is believed to be a blue straggler.