Echelle spectroscopy of {delta} Vel

We take advantage of this system offering the opportunity to determine the set of fundamental parameters (masses, luminosities, and radii) of three coeval stars with sufficient precision to test models of stellar evolution. Extensive high-resolution spectroscopy is analyzed by the broadening function technique to provide the first spectroscopic orbit of the eclipsing pair.

Simultaneous analysis of the spectroscopic data and the SMEI satellite light curve is performed to provide astrophysical parameters for the components. We use a modified Roche model assuming an eccentric orbit and asynchronous rotation. The observations show that components of the eclipsing pair rotate at about two-thirds of the break-up velocity, which excludes any chemical peculiarity and results in a non-uniform surface brightness.