Some Findings from the Longitudinal Migration of Starspots

Abstract

We present results regarding the longitudinal migrations of cool stellar spots that exhibit remarkable oscillations and explore their possible causes. We conducted analyses using high-quality data from nine target systems of various spectral types, spanning from F to M, which were observed by the Kepler Satellite. The systems in which the behaviour of the spots was examined are as follows: KIC 4357272, KIC 6025466, KIC 6058875, KIC 6962018, KIC 7798259, KIC 9210828, KIC 11706658, KIC 12599700, and KIC 8669092. Basic stellar parameters were calculated from light curve analysis using the PHOEBE V.0.32 software, and light curves were modelled to obtain sinusoidal variations occurring out-of-eclipses phases, induced by rotational modulation. Subsequently, we calculated the minimum times of the obtained sinusoidal variations using the Fourier transform. The distributions of θ min corresponding to these minimum times over time were computed using linear fits to determine the longitudinal migrations of the spotted areas. We then compared the longitudinal migration periods with the stellar parameters found in the literature. In addition, we also found a secondary variation in the spot migrations apart from the linear models. Our results revealed that the longitudinal migration periods vary in relation to the B – V colour index of the stars.