Small-scale variability in the spectrum of Vega

TL;DR

This study observed small-scale, non-radial pulsations in Vega's hydrogen lines, revealing variations with periods of 300-1200 seconds and oscillating scales comparable to the solar radius.

Contribution

First detection of small-scale hydrogen line variability in Vega indicating non-radial pulsations with specific temporal and spatial characteristics.

Findings

Vega exhibits hydrogen line variations with periods of 300-1200 seconds.

Oscillating elements have a horizontal scale of about 800 Mm.

Radial velocity of variations is approximately 36 km/s.

Abstract

We reported the results of observations of small-scale variability in the hydrogen Balmer lines in Vega. Spectral observations were carried out with low-resolution spectrograph (R $\simeq$ 600) installed in the Main Astronomical Observatory, Ukraine. Spectra were obtained with a time resolution in the second range. It has been found that Vega shows variations in the hydrogen lines $H_{\beta} $, $H_{\gamma} $, $H_{ \delta} $. This can be interpreted that their variations are non-radial pulsations. The characteristic time of the observed variations ranges from 300 to 1200 sec. The horizontal scale for oscillating elements is about 800 Mm, which is comparable to the solar radius. The radial velocity of the variations is about 36 km/s.