Acoustic modes in M67 cluster stars trace deepening convective envelopes.

Author: Animesh Pradhan

Researchers have studied the ‘sounds’ emitted by 27 stars in the M67 star cluster, located 2,700 light-years away. By analyzing these oscillation frequencies, they determined the stars’ evolutionary stages, offering insights into the history and development of the Milky Way.

Since the stars in M67 share a common origin but differ in mass, they provide a unique opportunity to observe stellar evolution. This research also enhances our understanding of the Sun’s past and future, as it was likely formed in a similar cluster.

The study utilized data from the Kepler K2 mission to observe the stars’ brightness fluctuations, which correspond to their internal oscillations. These findings enable more accurate determinations of stellar ages and masses, contributing to models of galactic evolution.

http://arxiv.org/html/2504.01828