SMRTR Science & EngineeringNov 15, 2024Scientific American

What’s the Roundest Object in the Universe?

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The sun may be the roundest object in the universe, with a sphericity of 99.9992%. This surprising finding comes from precise measurements by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. The sun's slow rotation and strong surface gravity contribute to its near-perfect shape. Venus is also very round for similar reasons. Neutron stars could potentially be even rounder, but their small size makes precise measurements difficult. Understanding cosmic objects' shapes helps scientists learn about their internal structures and behaviors.

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