Kepler Asteroseismology Program: Introduction and First Results

TL;DR

This paper introduces Kepler's asteroseismology program, highlighting its technical capabilities and initial results, which significantly advance understanding of stellar interiors and properties, supporting planetary searches and stellar physics.

Contribution

It presents the first results from Kepler's asteroseismology observations, demonstrating its revolutionary potential in probing stellar interiors and properties.

Findings

Initial 43-day observations show Kepler's high precision in detecting stellar oscillations.

Kepler's data significantly improve knowledge of star properties relevant to planetary searches.

The program opens new avenues for stellar astrophysics research.

Abstract

Asteroseismology involves probing the interiors of stars and quantifying their global properties, such as radius and age, through observationsof normal modes of oscillation. The technical requirements for conducting asteroseismology include ultra-high precision measured in photometry in parts per million, as well as nearly continuous time series over weeks to years, and cadences rapid enough to sample oscillations with periods as shortas a few minutes. We report on results from the first 43 days of observations in which the unique capabilities of Kepler in providing a revolutionary advance in asteroseismology are already well in evidence. The Kepler asteroseismology program holds intrinsic importance in supporting the core planetary search program through greatly enhanced knowledge of host star properties, and extends well beyond this to rich applications in stellar astrophysics.