We highlight differences in spectral types and intrinsic colors observed in pre-main sequence (pre-MS) stars. Spectral types of pre-MS stars are wavelength-dependent, with near-infrared spectra being 3-5 spectral sub-classes later than the spectral types determined from optical spectra. In addition, the intrinsic colors of young stars differ from that of main-sequence stars at a given spectral type. We caution observers to adopt optical spectral types over near-infrared types, since Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram positions derived from optical spectral types provide consistency between dynamical masses and theoretical evolutionary tracks. We also urge observers to deredden pre-MS stars with tabulations of intrinsic colors specifically constructed for young stars, since their unreddened colors differ from that of main sequence dwarfs. Otherwise, V-band extinctions as much as ~0.6 mag erroneously higher than the true extinction may result, which would introduce systematic errors in the H-R diagram positions and thus bias the inferred ages.

Stellar variability induced by starspots can hamper the detection of exoplanets and bias planet property estimations. These features can also be used to study star-planet interactions as well as inferring properties from the underlying stellar dynamo. However, typical techniques, such as ZDI, are not possible for most host-stars. We present a robust method based on spot modelling to map the surface of active star allowing us to statistically study the effects and interactions of stellar magnetism with transiting exoplanets. The method is applied to the active Kepler-9 star where we find small evidence for a possible interaction between planet and stellar magnetosphere which leads to a 2:1 resonance between spot rotation and orbital period.

Taking into account results obtained from light-curve analysis and out-of-eclipse analyses, we discuss the nature of GSC 02038-00293 and also its magnetic activity behaviour.We obtained light curves of the system during observing seasons 2007, 2008 and 2011. We obtained its secondary minimum clearly in I-band observations in 2008 for the first time. Analysing this light curve, we found the physical parameters of the components. The light-curve analysis indicates that the possible mass ratio of the system is 0.35. We obtained the remaining V-band light curves, extracting the eclipses. We modelled these remaining curves using the SPOTMODEL program and found possible spot configurations of the magnetically active component for each observing season. The models demonstrated that there are two active longitudes for the active component. The models reveal that both active longitudes migrate in the direction of decreasing longitude. We also examined the light curves in out-of-eclipse phases with respect to minimum and maximum brightness, amplitude, etc. The amplitude of the curves during out-of-eclipse phases varies in a sinusoidal way with a period of ∼8.9 yr; the mean brightness of the system is dramatically decreasing. The phases of the deeper minimum during out-of-eclipse periods exhibit a migration toward decreasing phase.

During the eclipse of a planet, spots and other features on the surface of the host star may be occulted. This will cause small variations in the light curve of the star. Detailed studies of these variations during planetary transits provide a wealth of information about the starspots properties such as size, position, temperature (i.e. intensity), and magnetic field. If observation of multiple transits is available, the spots lifetime can be estimated. Moreover it may also be possible to determine the stellar rotation and whether differential rotation is present. Here, the study is performed using a method that simulates the passage of a planet (dark disk) in front of a star with multiple spots of different sizes, intensities, and positions on its surface. The data variations in the light curve of the star are fit using this method, yielding the starspots properties. Results are presented for solar-like stars, such as the active star CoRoT-2a.

Two new high-resolution spectroscopic datasets of the active binary V711 Tau are analyzed here. Using the Least-Squares Deconvolution method, we have derived the time series profiles of V711 Tau with high signal-to-noise ratio, which have been used to reconstruct the starspot patterns for its two components by means of the Doppler imaging code DoTS. The results show that the high latitude spots are main features for the primary, the low latitude spots are clear for the secondary in both of two observing runs, and the starspot pattern changes obviously during one month. The lifetime of intermediate-low latitude spots is shorter than the high latitude spots for the primary, the low latitude spots of the secondary seem to have a longer lifetime.