A search for rapid oscillations in chemically peculiar A-type stars

Institut für Astronomie, Universität Wien, Türkenschanzstraße 17, A-1180 Wien, Austria

Send offprint request to: G. Handler

Received: 27 August 1998
Accepted: 25 September 1998

Abstract

In 1995 we initiated a Northern Hemisphere survey for rapidly oscillating Ap stars. This paper presents the results including one new roAp star (HD 122970), the confirmation of rapid oscillations of HD 99563 and apparent null results for other stars. Using Hipparcos data a statistical analysis of the absolute magnitudes and galactic distributions of all known roAp and noAp stars (also taken from the literature) was made. A systematic trend for most of the program stars in a M _V vs. β (index of the Strömgren system) diagram was detected leading to the conclusion that β is systematically influenced by the chemical peculiarity and/or magnetic field. Three roAp stars are outside the δ Scuti instability strip which implies that the driving mechanism of the two classes of pulsating star is different. This is also suggested by new pulsation models. No statistical difference between the galactic distribution of roAp and noAp stars was found.