A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Spot activity of LQ Hydra from photometry between 1988 and 2011
Authors: Lehtinen J, Jetsu L, Hackman T, Kajatkari P, Henry GW
Publisher: EDP SCIENCES S A
Publication year: 2012
Journal: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Journal name in source: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
Journal acronym: ASTRON ASTROPHYS
Article number: ARTN A38
Volume: 542
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0004-6361
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201219185
Abstract
Results. We find seasonal variability in the mean level and amplitude of the light curve of LQ Hya. The variability of the light curve amplitude seems not to be cyclic, but the long-term variations in the mean magnitude may be indicative of an approximately 13 year cycle. However, because of the limited length of the observed time series, it is not yet possible to determine whether this structure really represents an activity cycle. Based on fluctuations of the light curve period, we estimate the differential rotation of the star to be small, and the star is potentially very close to a rigid rotator. We search for active longitudes from the inferred epochs of the light curve minima. We find that on time scales up to six months there are typically one or two relatively stable active areas on the star with limited phase migration. On the other hand, on time scales longer than one year, no stable active longitudes have been present except for the period between 2003 and 2009 and possibly also some time before 1995. Neither do we find any signs of flip-flops with a regular period. The mean time scale of change of the light curve during the observation period is determined to be of the same order of magnitude as the estimated convective turnover time for the star.
Results. We find seasonal variability in the mean level and amplitude of the light curve of LQ Hya. The variability of the light curve amplitude seems not to be cyclic, but the long-term variations in the mean magnitude may be indicative of an approximately 13 year cycle. However, because of the limited length of the observed time series, it is not yet possible to determine whether this structure really represents an activity cycle. Based on fluctuations of the light curve period, we estimate the differential rotation of the star to be small, and the star is potentially very close to a rigid rotator. We search for active longitudes from the inferred epochs of the light curve minima. We find that on time scales up to six months there are typically one or two relatively stable active areas on the star with limited phase migration. On the other hand, on time scales longer than one year, no stable active longitudes have been present except for the period between 2003 and 2009 and possibly also some time before 1995. Neither do we find any signs of flip-flops with a regular period. The mean time scale of change of the light curve during the observation period is determined to be of the same order of magnitude as the estimated convective turnover time for the star.
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