The universal red-giant oscillation pattern: An automated determination with CoRoT data

Abstract

Aims.The CoRoT and Kepler satellites have provided thousands of red-giant oscillation spectra. The analysis of these spectra requires efficient methods of identifying all eigenmode parameters. Methods. The assumption of new scaling laws allowed us to construct a theoretical oscillation pattern. We then obtained a highly precise determination of the large separation by correlating the observed patterns with this reference. Results.We demonstrate that this pattern is universal and are able to unambiguously assign the eigenmode radial orders and angular degrees. This solves one of the remaining problems of asteroseismology, hence allowing precise theoretical investigation of red-giant interiors. © 2010 ESO.