The Naini Tal - Cape survey for pulsations in chemically peculiar A-type stars - I. Methods and preliminary results

A new survey for pulsating, chemically peculiar A- and F-type stars in the northern hemisphere has been initiated using the 1-m telescope at Uttar Pradesh State Observatory in Naini Tal. The survey is primarily structured to reveal high-overtone pulsations in chemically peculiar A-F stars, but it is also revealing low-overtone delta Scuti-type pulsations in stars with peculiar colours. This paper describes the scope and methods of the survey. Preliminary observations of 28 candidate stars are presented and the discovery of three new pulsators, HD 12098, HD 13038 and HD 13079, is announced. Null results for the remaining 25 stars are also discussed.