Doppler imaging of Speedy Mic using the VLT, Fast spot evolution on a young K-dwarf star

We study the short-term evolution of starspots on the ultrafast-rotating star HD197890 ("Speedy Mic" = BO Mic, K 0-2V, P_rot = 0.380 d) based on two Doppler images taken about 13 stellar rotations apart. Each image is based on spectra densely sampling a single stellar rotation. The images were reconstructed by our Doppler imaging code CLDI (Clean-like Doppler imaging) from line profiles extracted by spectrum deconvolution. Our Doppler images constructed from two independent wavelength ranges agree well on scales down to 10 degrees on the stellar surface. In conjunction with nearly parallel V-band photometry our observations reveal a significant evolution of the spot pattern during as little as two stellar rotations. We suggest that such a fast spot evolution demands care when constructing Doppler images of highly active stars based on spectral time series extending over several stellar rotations. The fast intrinsic spot evolution on BO Mic impedes the determination of a surface differential rotation; in agreement with earlier results by other authors we determine an upper limit of |alpha| < 0.004 +- 0.002.