The Study of δ Scuti Stars in The Transition Era from Ground-Based to Space Photometry

Abstract

The different research teams involved in the study of δ Sct stars have slightly changed their strategy in the past years. The observational effort to secure worldwide coverage of case studies has been continued, but the requirements have become more severe, especially about target characterization and frequency resolution.After the successful launch of the Canadian satellite MOST, which will be the pioneer of asteroseismology from space, the future missions are programmed to properly take into account the need for adequate frequency resolution: COROT will spent 30 and 150 d (additional and core programs, respectively) on the target, while EDDINGTON will spend up to 3yr. Such a requirement is a direct consequence of the observational results on δ Sct, γ Dor, SPB, and other stars obtained from ground. It should be noted that without these results (see Poretti 2000 for a review about δ Sct stars) the scientific background of the space missions would be much less defined and the risks of incomplete results (owing to inaccurate selection of targets, insufficient resolution, underestimate of the influence of the rotation) much higher.