Doppler imaging of stellar surface structure

Abstract

We present two Doppler images from two consecutive stellar rotations of the single K2-giant HD 31993. Each Doppler image is reconstructed from spectra obtained within a single stellar rotation. With its 25-day rotational period and a radius of ≈18 solar radii, HD 31993 is considered a very rapidly rotating star and thus allows the application of the Doppler-imaging technique, despite the unusually long period. All maps reveal 7 isolated, predominantly low-latitude spots with a temperature difference, photosphere minus spot, of just ≈200 K. No polar spot or high-latitude activity above, say, +60° is seen. A large warm feature is detected at high latitude and is believed to be real. These spots act as tracers for a cross correlation analysis and yield a clear signature of anti-solar differential surface rotation, i.e. the polar regions rotating faster than the equator, with corresponding to a lap time of ≈200 days. A detailed parameter study is carried out to verify the reality of the HD 31993 maps.