SuperWASP observations of pulsating Am stars
B. SmalleyAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKD. W. KurtzJeremiah Horrocks Institute of Astrophysics, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UKA. M. S. SmithAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKL. FossatiDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UKD. R. AndersonAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKS. C. C. BarrosAstrophysics Research Centre, Main Physics Building, School of Mathematics & Physics, Queen’s University, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UKO. W. ButtersDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UKA. Collier CameronSUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, UKD. J. ChristianDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, California State University, Northridge, CA, 91330, USAB. EnochSUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, UKF. FaediAstrophysics Research Centre, Main Physics Building, School of Mathematics & Physics, Queen’s University, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UKC. A. HaswellDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UKC. HellierAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKS. HolmesDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UKK. HorneSUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, UKStephen R. KaneNASA Exoplanet Science Institute, Caltech, MS 100-22, 770 South Wilson Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USATim ListerLas Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, 6740 Cortona Drive, Suite 102, Goleta, CA, 93117, USAP. F. L. MaxtedAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKA. J. NortonDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UKN. ParleySUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, North Haugh, Fife, KY16 9SS, UKD. L. PollaccoAstrophysics Research Centre, Main Physics Building, School of Mathematics & Physics, Queen’s University, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UKE. K. SimpsonAstrophysics Research Centre, Main Physics Building, School of Mathematics & Physics, Queen’s University, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UKI. SkillenIsaac Newton Group of Telescopes, Apartado de Correos 321, 38700 Santa Cruz de la Palma, Tenerife, SpainJ. SouthworthAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UKR. A. StreetLas Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, 6740 Cortona Drive, Suite 102, Goleta, CA, 93117, USARichard G. WestDepartment of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UKP. J. WheatleyDepartment of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UKP. L. WoodAstrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
2011en
ABI
Abstract
We have studied over 1600 Am stars at a photometric precision of 1 mmag with SuperWASP photometric data. Contrary to previous belief, we find that around 200 Am stars are pulsating δ Sct and γ Dor stars, with low amplitudes that have been missed in previous, less extensive studies. While the amplitudes are generally low, the presence of pulsation in Am stars places a strong constraint on atmospheric convection, and may require the pulsation to be laminar. While some pulsating Am stars have been previously found to be δ Sct stars, the vast majority of Am stars known to pulsate are presented in this paper. They will form the basis of future statistical studies of pulsation in the presence of atomic diffusion.
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