Solar radius variations: New look on the wavelength dependence

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

8-1-2015

Abstract

The possibility that the Sun's radius is changing, even at a faint level, has been discussed over a long time. As the solar radius is certainly one of the most important basic pieces of astrophysical information, it is crucial to determine the physical mechanisms that may cause shrinking or expansion of the solar envelope. The wavelength dependence has been poorly inspected up to now. Here we examine recent solar radius determinations from space observations, mainly from Mercury and Venus transits, made by different teams in 2006, 2012 and 2014. Seemingly, the results are not consistent: authors interpreted the discrepancies because of the different methods of analysis used in their work. However, looking at the wavelength dependence, adding other available observations, from X-EUV up to radio, a typical relationship between the radius and the wavelength can be found, reflecting the different heights at which the lines are formed. Possible explanations are discussed. Such results can be interesting for studying solar-stellar connections.

Identifier

85054259456 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921316002118

e-ISSN

17439221

ISSN

17439213

First Page

342

Last Page

350

Issue

S320

Volume

11

Grant

NNX14AB70G

Fund Ref

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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