Regularities in frequency spacings of [delta] Scuti stars: the Kepler star KIC9700322

ABSTRACT In the faint star KIC9700322 observed by the Kepler satellite, 76 frequencies with amplitudes from 14 to 29000ppm were detected. The two dominant frequencies at 9.79 and 12.57d-1 (113.3 and 145.5 μHz), interpreted to be radial modes, are accompanied by a large number of combination frequencies. A small additional modulation with a 0.16d-1 frequency is also seen; this is interpreted to be the rotation frequency of the star. The corresponding prediction of slow rotation is confirmed by a spectrum from which vsini= 19 ± 1kms-1 is obtained. The analysis of the spectrum shows that the star is one of the coolest δSct variables. We also determine Teff= 6700 ± 100 K and logg= 3.7 ± 0.1, compatible with the observed frequencies of the radial modes. Normal solar abundances are found. An = 2 frequency quintuplet is also detected with a frequency separation consistent with predictions from the measured rotation rate. A remarkable result is the absence of additional independent frequencies down to an amplitude limit near 14ppm, suggesting that the star is stable against most forms of non-radial pulsation. A low-frequency peak at 2.7763d-1 in KIC9700322 is the frequency difference between the two dominant modes and is repeated over and over in various frequency combinations involving the two dominant modes. The relative phases of the combination frequencies show a strong correlation with frequency, but the physical significance of this result is not clear.