Periodic variability of spotted M dwarfs in WTS

Goulding, N. T.; Barnes, J.R.; Pinfield, D.J.; del Burgo, C.; Kovacs, G.; Birkby, J.; Hodgkin, S.; Catalan, S.; Sipocz, B.; Jones, H.R.A.; Jeffers, S.V.; Nefs, S.

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Author

Goulding, N. T.

Barnes, J.R.

Pinfield, D.J.

del Burgo, C.

Kovacs, G.

Birkby, J.

Hodgkin, S.

Catalan, S.

Sipocz, B.

Jones, H.R.A.

Jeffers, S.V.

Nefs, S.

Abstract

We present an analysis of the photometric variability of M dwarfs in the WFCAM Transit Survey, selected from spectral types inferred by their WTS and SDSS colours, with periods detected using a Lomb-Scargle Periodogram Analisys. We estimate population membership of these objects from their tangential velocities and photometric parralaxes. Examples of M dwarfs with variable light curve morphologuies are found. We discuss possible causes for this and make use of models of spotted stars in our interpretation of the results.