On the Differential Rotation of Stars

Abstract

We discussmethods for analyzing the observational manifestations of differential rotation (DR). Based on the literary sources and our estimates (for 4 cool dwarfs), a list containing 75 stars was compiled. Using an example of analysis of the ‘ΔΩ–T_eff’, ‘ΔΩ–rotation period’ and ‘ΔΩ–Rossby number’ diagrams we compared the determined parameters of DR stars with the results of theoretical studies. Particular attention is paid to the problems of measurements of DR parameters in low-mass dwarf stars, including the completely convective ones.We analyzed the measured parameters of solar-type DR stars. The objects having anti-solar DR (α < 0), and possiblemethods allowing to determine the sign of α are considered.We distinguish the areas of research that in the future may expand our understanding of DR manifestations: a study of DR in the inner regions of stars and an analysis of manifestations of the rotational brightness modulation caused by the spottedness of components in eclipsing-variable systems (subsynchronized systems).