Context. Stellar rotation is a key in our understanding of both mass-loss and evolution of intermediate and massive stars. It can lead to anisotropic mass-loss in the form of radiative wind or an excretion disk. <BR /> Aims: We wished to spatially resolve the photosphere and gaseous environment of 51 Oph, a peculiar star with a very high vsini of 267 km s<SUP>-1</SUP> and an evolutionary status that remains unsettled. It has been classified by different authors as a Herbig, a β Pic, or a classical Be star. <BR /> Methods: We used the VEGA visible beam combiner installed on the CHARA array that reaches a submilliarcsecond resolution. Observation were centered on the Hα emission line. <BR /> Results: We derived, for the first time, the extension and flattening of 51 Oph photosphere. We found a major axis of θ<SUB>eq</SUB> = 8.08 ± 0.70 R<SUB>☉</SUB> and a minor axis of θ<SUB>pol</SUB> = 5.66 ± 0.23 R<SUB>☉</SUB>. This high photosphere distortion shows that the star is rotating close to its critical velocity. Finally, using spectro-interferometric measurements in the Hα line, we constrained the circumstellar environment geometry and kinematics and showed that the emission is produced in a 5.2 ± 2 R<SUB>⋆</SUB> disk in Keplerian rotation. <BR /> Conclusions: From the visible point of view, 51 Oph presents all the features of a classical Be star: near critical-rotation and double-peaked Hα line in emission produced in a gaseous disk in Keplerian rotation. However, this does not explain the presence of dust as seen in the mid-infrared and millimeter spectra, and the evolutionary status of 51 Oph remains unsettled.
ANTHONY-MEILLAND.COM
