Do stars change shape?

Question

Do stars change shape perceivably through rotation? As in, if a star wobbles in space, will it's shape still be spherical?

Answer 1

some stars such as antares are closer to the shape of m&m's rather than a perfect sphere, and yes that is due to their fast rotation period.

but if a star wobbles that won't affect its shape any unless it wobbles really fast.

Answer 2

In a way, stars are changing shape all the time. Prominences, flares, cooling wells (spots), etc. The basic shape will still be spherical due to gravity, but this is by no means to suggest that the surface is not dynamic.

Also, over the life of a star, it will go through different stages of expansion and/or contraction on the way to becoming a red giant, a dwarf star, maybe even a black hole.

Answer 3

Unless their acted on by external forces (a nearby companion, or a very large planet), the forces inside the star keep it about spherical. There are "ripples" that we see during solar explosions, but if the sun were the same size as Earth, the ripples we see would only be about 100 feet high. Immense gravity from within the star itself keeps the surface fairly uniform. There are stars that change in luminosity and size, (cepheid variables), but again, it's a uniform change, where the star keeps it's nearly spherical shape.

Answer 4

Stars are basically spherical but may be distorted a bit because of rapid rotation. Some also have surfaces that rise and fall with stellar activity.

Answer 5

Mostly spherical. I believe the term is oblate spheroid.

Just like Earth, really.