The following table illuminates the similarities and differences; The left column provides categories for comparison, making it easier to see the specific aspects in which helioseismology and asteroseismology differ.
Categories
Helioseismology
Asteroseismology
Target of study
Studies oscillations and waves specifically in the Sun
Studies oscillations in other stars more generally
Techniques
Uses techniques to probe the solar interior
Applies techniques similar to helioseismology to distant stars
Observational challenges
The Sun’s surface can be spatially resolved in great detail, allowing observation of millions of distinct solar oscillation modes
Distant stars cannot be spatially resolved, restricting observations to only low degree oscillation modes; fewer modes can be detected compared to the Sun
Oscillation driving mechanisms
Solar oscillations are primarily excited by turbulent convection near the solar surface
Stellar oscillations can be excited by various mechanisms like the kappa mechanism, convective blocking, tidal forces, etc. depending on the type of star
Applications
Used to study the Sun’s internal structure, dynamics, rotation profile, magnetic fields, and solar activity cycle
Used to determine fundamental properties of stars like their mass, radius, age as well as internal structure and rotation; also applied to study exoplanet host stars
Field maturity
A more mature field that has produced detailed maps of the solar interior
A rapidly developing field, especially with new space-based observations from missions like Kepler and CoRoT
Despite their differences in terms of target, observational challenges, and driving mechanisms, both fields use the analysis of stellar oscillations to probe the interior structures of stars and have led to significant advances in our understanding of stellar physics.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter which summarizes all articles from the previous week.
