How do we learn about the Sun's Interior?
HELIO (Solar) Seismology
Sound bounces around the inside of the Sun, just like is
seen in earthquakes on the Earth.
The bouncing 'rays' of sound create a ringing, which is seen as
waves on the surface of the Sun.
Scientists study time-lapse photography of the Sun to measure these
waves.
Measuring the surface waves seen can be used with models to obtain measurements of the density, pressure, composition and temperature of the Sun's interior--Provided we can simultaneously solve for 10 million different ringing patterns at once!
The Solar Neutrino Problem
Starting in the early 1960's, instruments capable of detecting neutrinos generated in
the center of the Sun during hydrogen fusion were first
built. Theory predicts a certain number of neutrinos should be detected every second
based on the luminosity of Sun. The theoretical number has been consistently HIGHER
than the value observed with detectors on Earth. NEUTRINOS ARE MISSING!
What has happened to the Neutrinos?
The current explanation for the 'Solar Neutrino Problem' is explained
here and here.
