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Stellar activity as observed by the KEPLER space telescope: The K Dwarf KIC 8429280

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Abstract

The activity of the K dwarf KIC 8429280 (TYC 3146-35-1) has been studied. Unique high-precision photometric observations of this object obtained with the KEPLER space telescope suggest a pronounced amplitude modulation of the brightness of the star, and have made possible the analysis of surface-temperature inhomogeneities. The evolution of active regions on the surface of KIC 8429280 has been traced during 105 rotation periods. Evidence has been found for the existence of two active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280, separated by approximately 180°. The motion of the active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280 is complex and unstable. At some times, the active regions moved together in longitude with the rotation of the star, while they moved in opposite directions at other time. The less active region sometimes disappeared completely, and only one active region was observed on the stellar surface. The area of the spotted surface S is 4% of the visible stellar surface for the adopted inclination of the rotation axis of the star to the line of sight, i = 60°. The periodicity for variations in S is no less than 90 d. The timescale for the change in the amplitude of the brightness variations is 30 d. Three epochs of alternation of the active longitudes are close in time to three of four firmly established minima in the amplitudes of the brightness variations. The results of the light-curve analysis for KIC 8429280 are compared to results obtained for the young active solar-type star Corot-Exo-2, which has a similar light curve with a pronounced modulation.

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  1. Institute of Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyatnitskaya ul. 48, Moscow, 109017, Russia

    I. S. Savanov

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  1. I. S. Savanov
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Correspondence to I. S. Savanov.

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Original Russian Text © I.S. Savanov, 2011, published in Astronomicheskii Zhurnal, 2011, Vol. 88, No. 9, pp. 871–879.

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Savanov, I.S. Stellar activity as observed by the KEPLER space telescope: The K Dwarf KIC 8429280. Astron. Rep. 55, 801–809 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1134/S106377291109006X

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S106377291109006X

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