Asteroseismology: The Music of the Stars
Event details
School of Physics, Engineering and Technology Webinar Series
Asteroseismology is the study of pulsations in stars. These are produced by vibrational physics, similar to the vibrations in musical instruments. The vibrations emit not just at one frequency or tone, but many modes simultaneously depending on the internal properties of a star. So, in a sense, each star has a unique musical 'voice'.
The study of these pulsations is the best known way to determine the interior properties and dynamics of stars. With some stars, the pulsations penetrate deep into the stellar interior. So this means we have a golden opportunity to investigate a star's internal workings and look at the size and density of its core.
This talk will share the modern science of pulsations, their analysis with different techniques, and how new asteroseismic research is contributing to a revolution of understanding of stellar interiors.
About the speaker
Dr Emily Brunsden is an astrophysicist and Director of Astrocampus, the University of York’s observatory. Her research focuses on asteroseismology—the 'music of the stars'—using stellar vibrations to uncover the hidden structure and dynamics within stars. She’s passionate about making astronomy accessible, from giving night-sky tours, to co-hosting the Syzygy podcast, to sharing the latest cosmic discoveries. Having worked at observatories around the world, she is dedicated to sparking curiosity and bringing the universe to life.
Image credit: ESA