Dr. Mike Reed
Missouri State University
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Measuring the Properties of Stars Using Asteroseismology
102 Cardwell Hall
January 28, 2013
4:30 p.m.
Asteroseismology is the process in which stellar pulsations are used to discern the physical conditions of stars. All stars besides our Sun are points rather than disks of light and the starlight we observe is emitted from only the outer 1%. To learn the physical properties of stars, particularly their inner conditions, requires indirect methods. Fortunately, many stars vary in a periodic way; they pulsate.
In this talk I will describe the tools of asteroseismology and how they are used to reveal the properties of stars. I will concentrate on late-evolution stars, where asteroseismology has been an effective tool for discerning bulk properties as well as detailed interior conditions. I will also describe Kepler spacecraft observations which have greatly advanced the study of pulsating stars as well as planets.
Refreshments in CW 119 at 4:15 p.m.