Astronomers invent new way to measure gravity pull on distant stars

Astronomers have developed a new method to measure the pull of gravity on the surface of distant stars. The new method gives the scientists a new way to determine how much a human would weigh on another star. Determining how much a human would weigh on a distant star is important because it is used in part to help determine if life could survive on planets orbiting the star.

The research was led by University of Vienna scientist Thomas Kallinger with help from UBC professor Jaymie Matthews with further assistance from astronomers in Germany, France, and Australia. The new measurement method has an accuracy of about 4% for stars too far away to use current techniques.

Surface gravity for a star depends on the star's mass and radius and the new technique makes it easier for scientists to gauge the masses and sizes of distant stars. The technique is called autocorrelation function timescale technique or timescale technique for short.

It uses minute variations in the brightness of distant stars recorded using satellites like the NASA Kepler or Canadian MOST satellites. Scientists involved with the research for the timescale technique say that it could help future exoplanet surveys to determine if a planet is orbiting in the Goldilocks Zones of their parent stars where liquid water and life might survive.

SOURCE: Eurekalert