We analyze the surface structure of the planet host star CoRoT-2a using a consistent model for both the ‘ global ’ ( i.e. , rotationally modulated ) lightcurve and the transit lightcurves , using data provided by the CoRoT mission .
Selecting a time interval covering two stellar rotations and six transits of the planetary companion CoRoT-2b , we adopt a ‘ strip ’ model of the surface to reproduce the photometric modulation inside and outside the transits simultaneously .
Our reconstructions show that it is possible to achieve appropriate fits for the entire sub-interval using a low-resolution surface model with 36 strips .
The surface reconstructions indicate that the brightness on the eclipsed section of the stellar surface is ( 6 \pm 1 ) % lower than the average brightness of the remaining surface .
This result suggests a concentration of stellar activity in a band around the stellar equator similar to the behavior observed on the Sun .