What are Starquakes? | Cosmic Queries with Neil deGrasse Tyson and Conny Aerts

What is a starquake? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen explore asteroseismology, the sun, and what’s happening on the insides of stars with astrophysicist Conny Aerts.

Is a starquake the same as an earthquake? Learn about the sounds of the stars and the different types of quakes in the solar system. What’s the biggest quake in the solar system? Do other planets have plate tectonics? What does a quake look like on the ice giants? We explore the starquakes of supergiant stars and more.

What does ‘quake’ even mean? What have we learned from analysing starquakes? Discover the internal rotation of stars and the theory of how stars evolve. How old do stars get? We discuss how the angular momentum of a star can impact its lifetime. Does rotation speed up a fusion reaction?

How do oscillations work in a binary star system? We break down what happened to Betelgeuse and why it’s not as bright as it used to be. We talk Kepler, TESS, and the new telescope PLATO that help asteroseismologists understand the stars. Are starquakes dangerous to humans? Plus, learn about coronal mass ejections and how a big one would impact life on Earth.

Thanks to our Patrons Zoran Nesic, Sarah Rina Rosen, and Joshua Brewer for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - What is Asteroseismology?
07:28 - What is the sound of the sun?
09:35 - Do all planets have quakes?
10:54 - Different quakes in the solar system
15:22 - What does ‘quake’ mean?
19:20 - What have we learned from analysing starquakes?
29:14 - What happened to Betelgeuse?
36:39 - JWST, Kepler, TESS, and PLATO
43:04 - Solar Flares & Coronal Mass Ejections
48:35 - Binary Solar Systems

[raphaelcorley]

Love Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson I have learned more from him than I have any teacher lol

[RetroCrisis]

It's always fun to see Dr Tyson learn something new too

[Jxpk]

Matt is locked in a never ending smile lol

[LearnTday]

How lovely is it that we can give blind people a feeling of the beauty in the universe and keep them connected to the experience of space in such a unique way. <3

[alexanderpeca]

This is one was a pretty cool interview, I loved the dynamic of Matt containing Neil a little bit and he is definitely loving Conny, who is at the same time funny without trying. The dynamic and chemistry of Neil and Chuck is sometimes so good that the end up dominating the interview aka annoying a bit their guests.
And, I learned a lot about Star oscillations.
Thanks to my personal astrophysicist and his Team. Love from Berlin.

[saeeddargahi]

Hi Dr Tyson, I love your stuff, , and I love love astronomy, love from Iran🇮🇷❤

[elmotuisk]

Im always happy when a new episode comes out!

[ebthedoc]

Astroseismology – what a fascinating sub-specialty. Thanks, N deG Tyson, Matt Kirshner, and Dr. Conny Aerts. It would be interesting to hear some time-lapse audio of a starquake she’s compressed, to render the reverberations audible for us humans. And her explanation for the dimming of Betelgeuse lets me hope they do point JWST that way soon. Looking through veils of dust is its business, to see what the restless red giant was up to, inside the dust cloud it made!

[udayavenkatesan]

I love Connie's attitude. She's like Awwww you died, I'm sorry, but let's cut you up and find out what happened. People like her are so so valuable for understanding our universe.

[JCtheMusicMan_]

I absolutely love conversations with such brilliant scientists! I learn so much by the way they make the highly complex understandable 💜

[TranceXZero]

I was listening to this but had to come and watch it before I finish listening to it :D

[ENFPerspectives]

I had a smile on my face the whole time watching this (am only 1/2 way through). I am only just finding this "channel" (subbed) & the chemistry (pun) is so amazing. Bringing me much joy. Cannot wait to watch more. Thank you. 🙏🏽

[taylorstringham]

Sweet a new video ☺️ I can't sleep without you Mr Tyson

[tylerj.]

Hi Dr Tyson, I'm studying to become a PhD of astrophysics and have always loved your stuff. I watched your version of Cosmos when I was a kid and along with other internet space content it inspired my thirst for the stars. I would love to share with you some JWST public data that I have been processing

[gsav]

some guests add really well to neil and chucks energy and some dont understand it. tbh its what determines an episode quality because theyre all very intelligent

[Stormgebieder]

Conny Aerts might one day win the Nobel Prize!

[gennadiyivanov]

I like to listen about stars more than about war. The safeties place in Universe

[basmus]

Congrats to 2 million subs from the future!

[gwensimmons_gigi]

Interesting topic and chockfull of info as usual, Neil and guests! Thank you!! WoW!! <3

[marcusmccall]

I thoroughly enjoyed that conversation, she was an excellent guest.