A Giant Starspot on HD 12545
Explanation:
What could cause a star to have such a large spot?
Our
Sun itself frequently has
sunspots, relatively cool dark
magnetic depressions
that move across its surface.
HD 12545, however, exhibits the largest
starspots
yet observed.
Doppler imaging - the use of slight changes in color caused by the
rotation of the star - was used to create
this false-color image.
The vertical bar on the right gives a temperature scale in
kelvins.
This giant, binary,
RS CVn star, also known as
XX Trianguli,
is visible with binoculars in the
constellation of
Triangulum.
The
starspot is thought to be caused by large
magnetic fields that inhibit hot matter from
flowing to the surface.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
