Evolution, structure, rapid rotation

Georges Meynet

Astronomical Observatory of the Geneva University

In a first part, we shall review the effects of rotation on the structure and the evolution of 
massive stars. Emphasis will be given on the predictions of rotating stellar models which might be 
constrained by interferometric observations as, for instance, the shape of fast rotating stars, the 
variation of the effective temperature as a function of the colatitude and the anisotropies of the 
mass loss. In a second part, we shall show why these observational constraints are of key 
importance to make progresses on topical astrophysical questions as the nature of the progenitors 
of Be stars and of Gamma Ray Bursts,  the evolution of the first massive star generations in the 
Universe and the impact of fast rotating metal poor massive stars on the photometric and chemical 
evolution of various stellar systems.