The Stars are Shaking, Your Honor: Overview of Asteroseismology and A Benchmark Case for Bright Sun-like Stars with TESS

Abstract

Asteroseismology is a field of research that allows us to observe the interior of stars through stellar pulsations. Solar-like oscillations are short-duration, low-amplitude oscillations that are driven stochastically by convection. Asteroseismology began with the detection of solar oscillations in the 1960s and has since revolutionized our understanding of the structure and dynamics of stars. Telescopic missions such as CoRoT, Kepler, and TESS have played a significant role in advancing the field. This paper provides an overview of the essential methods of asteroseismology and its functions while also considering a benchmark star, α Mensae. Data from TESS is analyzed, both at the same observed cadence as before and an alternate one, to improve our understanding of the star’s internal structure and evolution. This paper highlights the importance of asteroseismology in testing and refining theoretical models of stellar structure and evolution and provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our galaxy.