Achernar Can be a Differential Rotator

Abstract

We take advantage of interferometric measurements of Achernar to inquire on its internal rotational law. The reinterpretation of interferome-tric data and the use of fundamental parameters corrected for gravitational darkening effects and models of 2D-models of internal stellar structures, lead us to the conclusion that the star could not be a rigid, near critical, rotator but a differential rotator with the core rotating $\sim 3$ times faster than the surface.

Societe Francaise d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique, France (2005)