Comparison between the gravity darkening profile calculated using the model described in Sect. 2.3 (solid line), using von Zeipel’s law (dashed line), and the models calculated using the ESTER code (crosses). Left: star with M = 3   M_⊙ and homogeneous composition rotating at 70% of the Keplerian velocity at the equator (Ω_k). Center: M = 3   M_⊙, Ω = 0.7Ω_k and with hydrogen abundance in the core X_c = 0.5X, with X the abundance in the envelope. Right: same as center but with Ω = 0.9Ω_k. In the bottom row θ is the colatitude.