An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A → sunspot that follows the → leader spot. Sunspots tend to appear in groups consisting of one leader and several follower spots. The leader and the follower spots having opposite polarities.

Etymology (EN): Agent noun of follow, from O.E. folgian, fylgan “to follow, pursue,” from W.Gmc. *fulg- (cf. O.Fris. folgia, M.Du. volghen, Ger. folgen “to follow”).

Etymology (PE): Laké, → spot; peyrow “follower,” from pey “step; after,” related to pâ “foot, step, track,” → foot, + row “going; which goes,” present stem of raftan “to go, walk, proceed,” Mid.Pers. raftan, raw-, Proto-Iranian *rab/f- “to go; to attack.”