The gap of differential rotation in early F-type stars

Abstract We present new measurements of the rotational profile of 56 nearby stars of spectral types A-F obtained by line profile analysis. Together with earlier work, we now know of 33 stars in which Sun-like differential rotation was identified by line profile analysis. We find evidence of two populations of differential rotators, one group of rapidly rotating A stars at the granulation boundary with strong horizontal shear, and another group of mid- to late-F type stars with moderate rates of rotation and less shear. There is a gap between A and F stars, in which the stars appear to exhibit very little shear. Apparently, the physical conditions of differential rotation change at early-F spectral types.