MOST and COROT high precision photometry simulations of the roAp star 10 AQUILAE

T. Kallinger, L. Bigot, A. Kaiser, Ch. Stuetz, W. W. Weiss, K. Zwintz
Institute for Astronomy (IfA), University of Vienna, Tuerkenschanzstrasse 17, A-1180 Vienna

 

Space obersations of AQL are currently planned with the Canadian micro-satellite MOST (launch date 2003) and the CNES-lead satellite COROT (launch date 2005). We started our simulations of high precision photometry with 2 of the 3 frequencies determined up to now from ground with amplitudes less of than one millimagnitude. Based on a model of AQL with an assumed dipolar magnetic field of 0.8 kGauss, pulsation frequencies for = 0, 1, 2, 3 and |m| < were computed. As no non-linear calculations were available, we attributed arbitrarily (sub-mmag) amplitudes to the computed frequencies. Finally, we took rotational side lobes for some of the model frequencies into account, primarily to test if the frequency resolution expected from the two experiments will be sufficient for asteroseismology. To estimate the rotational splitting, we first had to determine the rotational period of AQL. A detailed investigation of equivalent width variations of individual lines was performed with time series of spectra obtained at McDonald observatory and the CFHT. Alltogether, 35 frequencies were used for the simulation of light curves expected from MOST and COROT. We discuss the Fourier spectrum of individual as well as combined synthetic light curves and propose an optimum strategy for merging data obtained by the two space experiments.

 
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