Modelling rapid rotators for stellar interferometry

¹ Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Département FRESNEL, CNRS UMR 6528, 2130 route de l'Observatoire, Caussols, 06460 St Vallier de Thiey, France
² Département d'Astrophysique de l'Université de Nice/Sophia-Antipolis, CNRS UMR 6525, France
³ Astronomical Observatory Belgrade, MNTRS 1940, Volgina 7, 11050 Beograd, Yugoslavia
⁴ Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas da Universidade de São Paulo, CP 9638, 01065-970, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

Corresponding author: A. Domiciano de Souza, Armando.Domiciano@obs-azur.fr

Received: 6 March 2002
Accepted: 14 June 2002

Abstract

Optical long baseline interferometry is a powerful tool to study detailed stellar structures. In particular, rapid rotation induces interferometric signatures requiring a detailed modelling for correctly interpreting high angular resolution data. In the present paper we study the effects of uniform stellar rotation on interferometric observables using a physically coherent model that includes gravity darkening and geometrical deformation, as well as a radiation transfer code. We investigate the use of multi-baseline and/or multi-channel observations, both in the continuum and spectral lines, in order to obtain the unique solutions for relevant model parameters. We show that this is possible and we provide a guide for observers in order to perform this task. However, this turns out to be quite demanding in terms of sensitivity requiring the use of new generation interferometers.