Vibrations of astronomical bodies

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Pulsars exhibit predictable rotation frequencies, ranging from a few fractions of a cycle per second to over 600 cycles per second, with 600 being audible to humans. Celestial objects capable of spinning, orbiting, or vibrating between 20 and 20,000 times per second include dense entities like neutron stars and black holes, as less-dense objects cannot withstand tidal or centrifugal forces. The discussion highlights the relationship between an object's density and its rotational capacity, referencing concepts such as the Roche limit and helioseismology, which studies sound waves in stars.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pulsar mechanics and rotation frequencies
  • Knowledge of neutron stars and black holes
  • Familiarity with the Roche limit concept
  • Basic principles of helioseismology
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Roche limit and its implications for celestial bodies
  • Explore helioseismology and its applications in astrophysics
  • Investigate the properties and behaviors of neutron stars
  • Study the relationship between density and rotational dynamics in astrophysical objects
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in the dynamics of celestial bodies and the study of pulsars and neutron stars.

Stickman76
Pulsars are known to rotate at very predictable frequencies. If a beep or short tone is assigned to each rotation, the spin of the star can be 'sonified'. Pulsars spin anywhere from a few fractions of times per second to over 600 per second. 600 cycles is audible in the human range of hearing. However if the spin were anything over 20,000 times per second, it would cease to be audible, naturally, to the human ear.

What celestial objects do we know of that spin, orbit or otherwise vibrate naturally at a rate between 20 times per second and 20,000?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Stickman76
Stickman76 said:
What celestial objects do we know of that spin, orbit or otherwise vibrate naturally at a rate between 20 times per second and 20,000?

Only very dense objects like neutron stars and black holes, as far as I know. Less-dense objects would be torn apart from tidal or centrifugal forces.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Stickman76 and ISamson
Thank you, that is very insightful information. And that narrows my search drastically! So that means there's a relationship to an object's density and its capacity to spin?
 
Stickman76 said:
Thank you, that is very insightful information. And that narrows my search drastically! So that means there's a relationship to an object's density and its capacity to spin?
Yes there is. @Drakkith is right.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Stickman76
Are we talking about the Roche limit?
 
ISamson said:
Would this help?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance
http://www.encyclopedia.com/science/science-magazines/astronomy-and-space-science-pulsars-quasars-and-distant-questions

Thank you, yes I have done some research since the original post and now I know what objects I am looking for. Also looking into helioseismology- sound waves are found to exist in stars, also falling into the range of human hearing.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ISamson
Stickman76 said:
Thank you, yes I have done some research since the original post and now I know what objects I am looking for. Also looking into helioseismology- sound waves are found to exist in stars, also falling into the range of human hearing.

With an inherent lower frequency limit but without an inherent upper limit. However, high frequencies are poorly resonated.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
6K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
47K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K