What we have learned from helioseismology

M.J. Thompson

Astronomy Unit, School of Mathematical Sciences, QMW, London


The Sun's global oscillations, which are studied both in spatially unresolved ("Sun-as-a-star") and resolved observations of the solar disk, have enabled helioseismology to probe in detail the solar interior. I review firstly what is learned from the unresolved measurements, since this gives an idea of what we may in the not too distant future be able to learn about the interiors of other stars undergoing solar-type oscillations. I then look at the main results from resolved observations, which have begun to reveal the structure and dynamics of the interior of a star in exquisite detail.


Back to the Programme?