Asteroseismologists confirm that older stars rotate faster than expected (IMAGE)
Caption
"Sound waves trapped inside stars cause them to oscillate at particular frequencies. These vibrations are visible on the surface, and can be measured by astronomers using space telescopes. When a star is rotating these oscillation frequencies change slightly, making it possible to measure the star's rotation by looking at how it's surface changes over time. The study of these vibrations (called asteroseismology) can also be used to measure properties such as a star's mass and age. This lets us understand in more detail how the rotation and activity of stars evolves over time, improving our understanding of stars, exoplanetary systems and our own solar system"
Credit
Mark Garlick / University of Birmingham
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