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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves

Published on: May 10, 2020

The precise solar shape and its variability.

J R Kuhn¹, R Bush, M Emilio

¹Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, Pukalani, Maui, HI 96790, USA. kuhn@ifa.hawaii.edu

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|August 21, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Sun's precise shape remains elusive. This study reveals a constant solar oblateness, unaffected by surface activity, suggesting slower rotation in the Sun's outer layers.

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Area of Science:

Solar Physics
Stellar Astrophysics
Heliophysics

Background:

Determining the precise shape of the Sun has been challenging despite extensive photoelectric observations.
The Sun's deviation from a perfect sphere (asphericity) is a sensitive indicator of its internal conditions and solar atmosphere.

Purpose of the Study:

To precisely determine the Sun's shape using high-resolution data from a long-running space-based experiment.
To investigate the influence of solar-cycle variability on the Sun's shape and compare findings with theoretical predictions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of data from a long-running space-based experiment.
Application of high spatial resolution techniques to measure solar limb shape.
Comparison of observed solar oblateness with theoretical models.

Main Results:

The Sun's oblate shape was found to be distinctly constant and remarkably unaffected by solar-cycle surface variability.
The measured solar oblateness is significantly lower than predicted by current theoretical models.
The discrepancy suggests a slower differential rotation in the Sun's outer atmospheric layers.

Conclusions:

The Sun's shape is stable and largely independent of surface activity.
Current models may need refinement regarding the differential rotation rate in the Sun's outer regions.
This finding provides new constraints for understanding solar interior dynamics and atmospheric behavior.