Thin flux tube models for star spots

The possibility of understanding stellar activity as an up‐scaled version of the activity of our Sun is investigated. A theoretical model to explain properties of sunspots is used for explaining observed latitudes of star spots. The model is based on thin‐flux‐tube simulations that study the path of magnetic flux tubes from their origin in a stellar overshoot layer to photospheric layers. A direct comparison of the simulation results with individual stars is given. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)