Delta Scuti stars

Delta Scuti stars

(skyoo -tÿ) A class of relatively young pulsating variables, typified by Delta Scuti, that are about 1.5–3 solar masses and range in spectral type from about A3 to F6. They were originally grouped with the dwarf Cepheids. They are numerous but tend to be inconspicuous because of the very small variation in brightness, usually about 0.01–0.4 magnitudes. Like dwarf Cepheids they have very short periods ranging from about 0.5–8 hours. A typical feature is a variation in the amplitude and shape of the light curve. Irregularities in the light-curve contour result from the superimposition of two or more harmonic modes in which the star is pulsating; nonradial pulsations may also be present.

Delta Scuti stars

[¦del·tə ′sküd·ē ‚stärz] (astronomy) A class of pulsating variable stars of spectral type A and with periods of less than 8 hours, relatively small amplitude variations, and masses between 1 and 3 solar masses.