Survey for roAp stars in the northern sky from Naini Tal

Abstract

Of the 31 known rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars, 28 are in the southern sky and majority of them were discovered at SAAO indicating that a systematic survey also is needed in the northern sky. Therefore, a project has been initiated at the Uttar Pradesh State Observatory in Naini Tal with the objective to find and study new roAp stars in the northern sky. The test observing campaigns were made during 1997 and 1998 from UPSO at Naini Tal. A brief report of these efforts is presented here. The initial results were encouraging and qualified the site, the telescope and the instrument as the right combination needed for the success of the project. Though these preliminary observations did not yield new roAp stars, they did lead to the discovery of delta Scuti pulsations in two chemically peculiar stars, HD 13079 and HD 13038.