The solar neutrino problem revisited

The solar neutrino problem is related to the discrepancy between the observed and predicted flux of neutrinos. Prentice (1976) suggested that the predicted neutrino flux would be lowered considerably, if the sun initially possessed a metal-rich supersonically turbulent central core of a mass fraction approximately equal to 0.02. The present investigation has the objective to verify and extend the preliminary results provided by Prentice. A detailed study is conducted of the phenomenon of supersonic turbulence within the core of a chemically inhomogeneous solar model using a modified version of the Mount Stromlo Stellar Structure Code. The results confirm the basic trends suggested by Prentice (1976). The present models do not constitute a solution to the neutrino problem, as they are over-luminous and hence have a neutrino flux which is too high. Further calculations are needed to determine the precise characteristics of the proposed metal-rich core models which will lead to observed solar properties at solar age.