Photometric observations from theoretical flip-flop models

Abstract

Some active stars show a so-called flip-flop phenomenon in which the main spot activity periodically switches between two active longitudes that are 180 degrees apart. In this paper we study the flip-flop phenomenon by converting results from dynamo calculations into long-term synthetic photometric observations, which are then compared to the real stellar observations. We show that similar activity patterns as obtained from flip-flop dynamo calculations, can also be seen in the observations. The long-term light-curve behaviour seen in the synthesised data can be used for finding new stars exhibiting the flip-flop phenomenon.

5 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

References in corpus (2)

• The first close-up of the "flip-flop" phenomenon in a single star
• Do spherical alpha^2-dynamos oscillate?

Cited by in corpus (9)

• Flip-flops of FK Comae Berenices
• The impact of meridional circulation on stellar butterfly diagrams and polar caps
• Starspots in contact and semi-detached binary systems
• Amplification of brightness variability by active-region nesting in solar-like stars
• Investigating variation of latitudinal stellar spot rotation and its relation to the real stellar surface rotation
• Observing dynamos in cool stars
• LO Peg: surface differential rotation, flares, and spot-topographic evolution
• Magnetic Structure of Rapidly Rotating FK Comae-Type Coronae
• The chromospherically active binary star EI Eridani II. Long-term Doppler imaging