Starspot activity in late stars: Methods and results

Abstract

Three types of methods for studying the surface inhomogeneities of cool stars and the results of their use on type BY Dra, RS CVn, FK Com, and T Tau variables are discussed. The current relevance of traditional photometric methods and the advantages of the zonal spottedness model are pointed out. Dependences of the maximum total areas, average latitudes, and temperatures of spots on the global parameters of the stars are given. Analogs of the solar cycle in the variations of the areas and latitudes of starspots are examined, as well as the effects of differential rotation and active longitudes.