Fourier analysis of spotted star light curves as a tool to detect stellar differential rotation. II. Spots' evolution and binarity

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

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Stars: Activity, Stars: Rotation, Stars: Variables, Methods: Observational

Scientific paper

We present an improved version of our previous model for the simulation of wide band light curves of magnetically active spotted stars (Lanza et al. 1993), including also the effects of spot intrinsic evolution and, whenever applicable, the binary nature of the modelled star. Moreover, observational errors are added to the computed light curve sequences to simulate real time series. By modelling separately each effect, we have derived the requirements for successful detections of stellar differential rotation by Fourier analysis of light curve sequences. A differential rotation of order {DELTA}{OMEGA}, where {OMEGA} is the stellar angular velocity, can be resolved by a time coverage >(2π)/({DELTA}{OMEGA}), provided that the time scale of spots' evolution is τ_d_>(2π)/({DELTA}{OMEGA}). Moreover, for a flux modulation due to spots in the range 10^-2^-10^-4^mag, a light curve precision of the order of ({DELTA}F)/(F)=10^-3^-10^-6^, where F is the stellar flux, and a time series consisting of at least 10^2^-10^3^ measurements per period, evenly distributed in time, are needed in order to detect stellar differential rotation in a single star. On the other hand, in the case of active components in binary systems, proximity effects and eclipses make more difficult the detection of differential rotation by our method. The data precision, continuity and homogeneity, as deduced from our study, support the importance of dedicated long term observations from space by using satellites on highly eccentric orbits or, better, at one of the Sun-Earth Lagrangian points to allow us uninterrupted long-term observations.

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