Star spots and their impact on observable stellar properties

Poster presented at the 2017 Georgia Regional Astronomy Meeting at the University of Georgia (Athens, GA, USA).

Abstract 
Star spots are areas on a star’s optical surface that are cooler than the surrounding ambient surface due to the hinderance of convection by magnetic fields. We test how the presence, surface coverage fraction, and temperature contrast of star spots affect a star’s position in multiple color-magnitude diagrams. Using a phenomenological model for the impact of spots on stellar structure, we investigate changes in stars’ color, temperature, and brightness and their correlation to spot properties assuming different energy redistribution mechanisms. Our tests have the potential to delineate between different theoretical models of star spot formation, which will lead to better a understanding of star spot physics and how spots affect stars’ observable properties.