Round or Not: The Shape of Planets and Stars Explained

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SUMMARY

All planets and stars are approximately spherical in shape, primarily due to their gravitational forces. However, their appearance can be distorted when viewed through telescopes or with the naked eye due to atmospheric conditions and optical aberrations. Specifically, stars may appear non-round because of factors like eye tearing and vapor in the air. Telescopes can reveal their true shape, although some may introduce optical cross aberrations that affect the visual representation of the stars.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic astronomical concepts
  • Familiarity with telescope optics
  • Knowledge of atmospheric effects on light
  • Basic principles of gravitational forces and their impact on celestial bodies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of atmospheric distortion on astronomical observations
  • Learn about optical aberrations in telescopes and how to mitigate them
  • Explore the physics of planetary formation and the role of gravity in shaping celestial bodies
  • Investigate different types of telescopes and their optical designs
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophysicists, and anyone interested in understanding the shapes of celestial bodies and the effects of observation techniques.

althbin
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Is all the planet and star are round? If so, why when we look at star the shape is not round. If anybody ever think the star are actually shine through
in between 4 rounds.
 
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They are all (approximately) spheres1, i.e. round. If you look at them through a telescope2 you can see it. Naked eye appearance is affected by tearing in your eyes, vapor in the air and so on and so on.

1 They are slightly bulged out on the middle due to rotation.
2 Some telescopes show an optical cross abberation, this is understood and due to th optics of the telescope, not the star.
 
Good job selfAdjoint.
 

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