Surface Structure Studies of CP Stars in the Age of Space Photometry

Surface chemical abundance inhomogeneities present is several classes of upper main sequence chemically peculiar (CP) stars give rise to conspicuous rotational photometric variability. This variability provides a unique insight into rotational properties of CP stars and can be correlated with their magnetic fields and surface structure. In this talk, I summarise recent progress in our understanding of the relation between photometric variability and surface characteristics of CP stars. Based on superb photometric data collected by space missions, primarily the TESS satellite, I address the questions of what causes photometric rotational variability, is it a reliable indicator of surface magnetism, and how common is this type of behaviour among different groups of CP stars.