delta Cep HARPS-N radial velocities

When the HARPS-N mean cross-correlated line-profiles are fitted with a Gaussian profile, the projection factor is p_cc-g_=1.239+/-0.034(stat.)+/-0.023 (syst.). When we consider the different amplitudes of the radial velocity curves that are associated with 17 selected spectral lines, we measure projection factors ranging from 1.273 to 1.329. We find a relation between fgrad and the line depth measured when the Cepheid is at minimum radius.

This relation is consistent with that obtained from our best hydrodynamical model of delta Cep and with our projection factor decomposition. Using the observational values of p and f_grad_ found for the 17 spectral lines, we derive a semi-theoretical value of f_o-g_. We alternatively obtain f_o-g_=0.975+/-0.002 or 1.006+/-0.002 assuming models using radiative transfer in plane-parallel or spherically symmetric geometries, respectively.

The new HARPS-N observations of delta Cep are consistent with our decomposition of the projection factor. The next step will be to measure p0 directly from the next generation of visible interferometers. With these values in hand, it will be possible to derive fo-g directly from observations.