K2 observations of 95 Vir: delta Scuti pulsations in a chromospherically active star

We have searched for photometric variability in 95 Vir, a fast rotating, chromospherically active early F-type star, which was observed in the framework of Campaign 6 of the Kepler K2 mission. Available literature information on 95 Vir was procured, and well-established calibrations were employed to verify the derived astrophysical parameters. We have investigated the location of our target star in the M_Bol versus log Teff diagram, which provides information on the evolutionary status. We have discussed our results in detail, drawing on literature information and the theoretical predictions of state-of-the-art pulsation models, with the aim of unravelling the underlying variability mechanisms. From an analysis of 3400 long-cadence measurements, we have identified two main frequencies and several harmonics in our target star. We attribute the main frequency, f 1 = 9.537 28 d^-1, to δ Scuti pulsations. The origin of the secondary signal, f 2 = 1.071 29 d^-1, is less clear. We have investigated three possible interpretations of the low-frequency variation: binarity, pulsation and rotational modulation. Current evidence favours an interpretation of f 2 as a signature of the rotational period caused by the presence of cool star-spots, which goes along well with the observed chromospheric activity. However, phase-resolved spectroscopy is needed to verify this assumption. We briefly consider other chromospherically active δ Scuti stars that have been presented in the literature. A search for star-spot-induced photometric variability in these objects might be of great interest, as well as an investigation of the interplay between chromospheric and pulsational activity.