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Glite Dictionary
starquake

starquake

1 9.2
A sudden burst of energy on a star's surface like an earthquake
  • noun
  • /ˈstɑrˌkweɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : terremoto estelar
  • Scientists recently observed a starquake that released a massive burst of energy from the surface of the neutron star.
  • starquake results

Examples

  • The sudden release of energy during a starquake can cause fluctuations in light and radiation detected by telescopes.

  • Found a glitch in the timing; probably a starquake.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Must've been a starquake.

    Contact (1997)

  • Why do events like earthquakes and starquakes show a collectively simple behavior even though they are individually random?

    Academic text (2004)

  • Astronomers study starquakes to understand the crustal dynamics of neutron stars and the forces at play beneath their surface.

How Intense

starquake
  • Specialized
1 9.2
solar flare
  • Specialized
12 6.5

Surface Forms

starquake singular
starquakes plural

Morphology

starquake = star + quake (transparent) = star + quake

The meaning is directly derivable from 'star' + 'quake' (analogous to 'earthquake') and is transparent to learners who know both components.

Etymology

Starquake combines star and quake, where quake means 'shake' just like in earthquake. So a starquake is a sudden 'shake' on a star that releases a lot of energy, which is why scientists use the word for strong bursts on stars.