Modelling rapidly rotating stars

Abstract

Recent interferometric observations have drawn attention to the effects of rapid rotation on stellar structure. Consequently, a number of 2D models and pulsation codes have been and are being developed in order to gain a better understanding of such stars. These have shed light on effects like centrifugal deformation, gravity darkening, differential rotation and the transport of chemical elements and angular momentum. Pulsation modes within these stars have a different geometrical structure, characterised by a new organisation of the frequency spectrum, as shown by eigenmode calculations and ray dynamics. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.