ESA Science & Technology - Solar-Like Oscillations in a Massive Star

Publication date: 20 June 2009

Authors: Belkacem, K. et al.

Journal: Science
Volume: 324
Issue: 5934
Page: 1540-1542
Year: 2009

Copyright: AAAS

Seismology of stars provides insight into the physical mechanisms taking place in their interior, with modes of oscillation probing different layers. Low-amplitude acoustic oscillations excited by turbulent convection were detected four decades ago in the Sun and more recently in low-mass main-sequence stars. Using data gathered by the Convection Rotation and Planetary Transits mission, we report here on the detection of solar-like oscillations in a massive star, V1449 Aql, which is a known large-amplitude (beta Cephei) pulsator.