The sun is weaker than other stars, which is lucky for the Earth

Our sun is less active than other similar stars. Due to black spots and other phenomena, the Sun has a weaker brightness variation.

Our sun is less active than other similar stars. Due to black spots and other phenomena, the Sun has a weaker brightness variation.

In the scientists' words, the Sun is more 'tedious'. But for the creatures on Earth, this is probably a good thing.

Picture 1 of The sun is weaker than other stars, which is lucky for the Earth

The researchers say the time it takes for the Sun to rotate around its axis is 24.5 days. Findings of the surface temperature, size, and time of rotation of 369 stars similar to the Sun show that the variation in their brightness is on average 5 times higher than our Sun. 

Astronomer Timo Reinhold of the Max Planck Solar System Research Institute, Germany, the lead author of the study, said this variation is due to the black spots on the surface of the star turning in and out of view. close.

The sun is basically a medium sized hot hydrogen and helium balloon among stars and formed over 4.5 billion years ago. So far he has lived half his life. The diameter of the Sun is about 1,390,500 km, the surface temperature is about 5,538 0 C.

Picture 2 of The sun is weaker than other stars, which is lucky for the Earth

An average solar storm (M2) and an explosion release auroreal energy from the same region of the Sun.

The temperature and time of rotation are thought to be the main drivers of the interior of a star producing magnetic fields and, finally, the number and size of points that change the brightness.

The researchers were surprised to find stars with parameters very similar to the Sun but with 5 times the brightness variation.

The high magnetic activity associated with the Sun's sunspots can lead to solar storms, releasing auroreal energy - the release of large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields from the outermost part of the atmosphere. The sun - and other electromagnetic phenomena that can affect the Earth, for example, damage to satellites and communications and endanger astronauts.

The sun's monotony can be a good thing

Astronomer Reinhold said: 'A more active Sun can affect Earth's geological age. A star that is so 'active' will certainly change the conditions of life on a planet, so living with a star is boring.

The researchers compared data on stars similar to the Sun with information in the Sun's history.

This information includes observations of solar black spots over the past 400 years and data on variations of chemical elements over 9,000 years based on the wood and ice cores generated by the sun's activity. out. These information show that the Sun was not much different from the present day.

These findings do not indicate that the Sun may be in a quiet period and may be more active in the future.

  • Small changes in solar activity strongly affect the climate
  • Spectacular video: 3 years of operation of the Sun
Update 13 May 2020
« PREV
NEXT »
Category

Technology

Life

Discover science

Medicine - Health

Event

Entertainment