Variations of the Sun's radius and temperature due to magnetic buoyancy
Abstract
LIVINGSTON1 has recently measured a decrease in the surface temperature of the Sun coincident with increased solar activity. He interpreted the temperature drop as implying a corresponding reduction in luminosity. I point out here that surface cooling could also be due to a radial expansion of the Sun, with no attendant reduction in luminosity. There is a plausible physical mechanism for such an expansion; namely, variations in magnetic buoyancy due to variations in the magnetic flux in the convection zone over the solar cycle.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- August 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1038/280662a0
- Bibcode:
- 1979Natur.280..662T
- Keywords:
-
- Magnetic Flux;
- Solar Activity Effects;
- Solar Temperature;
- Stellar Structure;
- Convection;
- Luminosity;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- Solar Physics