A velocity map of the sun surface acoustic waves: red regions
represent inward motions while blue regions
show outward motions
Mount Wilson Observatory
Diagnostics for the Solar Interior
The Sun releases energy. This energy is made in the center of the Sun. But we can't see past the surface of the Sun. So how do we know how this energy is made? Well, scientists use diagnostics to figure out what is on the inside of the Sun.
When you
go to the doctor, the doctor can't see through your skin to see if your heart is fine. So the doctor may use an instrument to listen to your heart. Even though the doctor can't see your heart working, he or she uses listening as a diagnostic to make su
re your heart is working well.
One diagnostic scientists use to figure out what is inside the Sun is called
helioseismology. (Impress your teachers by using that big word!)
Another important diagnostic is
neutrino detection.
Neutrinos are made in
the nuclear reactions
that take place in
the center of the Sun.
If scientists look at neutrinos and study helioseismology, they can piece together how the Sun makes its energy. They can also start to figure out what will happen to the Sun during its
life cycle.
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