Stars · Physics
Asteroseismology
Say it: ass-ter-oh-size-MOL-uh-jee IPA: /ˌæstəroʊsaɪzˈmɑlədʒi/ noun
Asteroseismology: The study of stellar oscillations to learn about the interiors of stars.
Stars can vibrate in many patterns. Tiny changes in their brightness or surface motion reveal those vibrations, allowing scientists to infer properties hidden below the visible surface.
- Example
- Asteroseismology helped estimate the star's size from its oscillation frequencies.
- Why astronomers use it
- It provides clues to stellar structure, mass, age, and rotation.
- Tiny cosmic connection
- Scientists measure the effects of the vibrations in starlight; they are not recording sound crossing the vacuum to Earth.
Deep Space Stars Physics
Where to check it
Written for Cool Moon Facts in its own words; the sources cover the same idea in more depth.