The rotation of Arcturus and active longitudes on giant stars

From two decades of high-resolution spectroscopic measurements of Arcturus (HR 5340, K2 III), we identify a 2 yr modulation in the velocity span of the bisector of the Fe I lambda 6252.57 line. It seems likely that this is the rotation period, and we deduce the equatorial rotation rate to be 1.8 +/- 0.3 km s(-), based on a radius of 25.4 R-circle dot. From detailed Fourier analysis of the broadening and shapes of the spectral lines, we derive v sin i = 1.5 +/- 0.3 km s(-1) and a radial-tangential macroturbulence dispersion of 5.2 +/- 0.2 km s(-1). The inclination of the rotation axis to the line of sight is then 58 degrees +/- 25 degrees. Considering the periods found by H.-J. Choi et al. from variations in the Ca II H and K line emission, we suggest that giant stars have two or three active longitudes and, therefore, that periods found from the modulation of magnetic features will be one-half or one-third of the rotation period.