  The theoretically studied impact of rapid rotation on stellar evolution needs
to be confronted with the results of high resolution spectroscopy-velocimetry
observations. A weak surface magnetic field had recently been detected in the
A0 prototype star Vega, potentially leading to a (yet undetected) structured
surface. The goal of this article is to present a thorough analysis of the line
profile variations and associated estimators in the early-type standard star
Vega (A0) in order reveal potential activity tracers, exoplanet companions and
stellar oscillations. Vega was monitored in high-resolution spectroscopy with
the velocimeter Sophie/OHP. A total of 2588 high S/N spectra was obtained
during 5 nights (August 2012) at R = 75000 and covering the visible domain. For
each reduced spectrum, Least Square Deconvolved (LSD) equivalent photospheric
profiles were calculated with a Teff = 9500 and logg = 4.0 spectral line mask.
Several methods were applied to study the dynamic behavior of the profile
variations (evolution of radial velocity, bisectors, vspan, 2D profiles,
amongst others). We present the discovery of a starspotted stellar surface in
an A-type standard star with faint spot amplitudes Delta F/Fc ~5 10^{-4}. A
rotational modulation of spectral lines with a period of rotation P = 0.68 d
has clearly been exhibited, confirming the results of previous
spectropolarimetric studies. Either a very thin convective layer can be
responsible for magnetic field generation at small amplitudes, or a new
mechanism has to be invoked in order to explain the existence of activity
tracing starspots. This first strong evidence that standard A-type stars can
show surface structures opens a new field of research and asks the question
about a potential link with the recently discovered weak magnetic field
discoveries in this category of stars.
