Mapping spots on Speedy Mic

Doppler maps of the highly active star BO Mic ('Speedy Mic') at different rotation phases (indicated on top of the maps). Spot coverage is rendered as black, dark and light orange areas, representing 100%, 67% and 33% spot coverage, respectively. A few spots are near the visible pole, while most spots are asymmetrically distributed at mid-latitudes. The blue circle indicates the flare observed in October 2006 using ESO's VLT and ESA's XMM-Newton satellite. Grid lines mark latitudes and longitudes in 30 degrees steps.