Skip to main content

The Sun as a Star: Solar Phenomena and Stellar Applications

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((ASIC,volume 68))

Abstract

Our Sun is a run-of-the-mill star, having no obvious extremes of stellar properties. For this reason it is perhaps more, rather than less, interesting as an astrophysical object, for its sameness to other stars suggests that in studying the Sun, we are studying at close hand common, rather than unusual stellar phenomena. Conversely, comparative study of the Sun and other solar-type stars is an invaluable tool for solar physics, for two reasons: First, it allows us to explore how solar properties and phenomena depend on parameters we cannot vary on the Sun—most fundamentally, rotation rate and mass. Second, study of solar-like stars of different ages allows us to see how stellar and solar phenomena depend on age; study of other stars may be one of the best ways to infer the earlier history of the Sun, as well as its future history. In this review we shall concentrate on phenomena common to the Sun and solar-type (main sequence) stars with different fundamental properties such as mass, age, and rotation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Athay, R.G., and White, O.R.: 1978, “Chromospheric and Coronal Heating by Sound Waves,” Astrophys. J., 226, p. 1135.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Athay, R.G, and White, O.R.: 1979, “Chromospheric Oscillations Observed with OSO-8. IV. Power and Phase Spectra for C IV,” Astrophys. J., 229, 1147.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Babcock, H.W., and Babcock, H.D.: 1955, “The Sun’s Magnetic Field 1952–1954,” Astrophys. J., 121, p. 349.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco, C., Catalano, S., Marelli, E., and Rodono, M.: 1974, “Absolute Fluxes of K Chromospheric Emission in MS Stars,” Astron. Astrophys., 33, p. 257.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bumba, V., Ranzinger, P., and Suda, J.: 1973, Bull. Astr. Inst. Czech., 24, p. 22.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bumba, V., and Howard, R.: 1965, “The Development of Active Regions on the Sun,” Astrophys. J., 141, p. 1492.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Demarque, P.: 1980, private communications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deubner, F.-L., Ulrich, R.K., and Rhodes, E.J., Jr.: 1979, “Solar P-Mode Oscillations as a Tracer of Radial Differential Rotation,” Astron. Astrophys., 72, p. 177.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Durney, B.R., and Latour, J.: 1978, “On the Angular Momentum Loss of Late-Type Stars,” Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn., 9, p. 241.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Eddy, J.A.: 1976, “The Maunder Minimum,” Science, 192, p. 1189.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Eddy, J.A., Gilman, P.A., and Trotter, D.E.: 1976, “Solar Rotation During the Maunder Minimum,” Solar Phys., 346, p. 3.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fossat, E.: 1981, “Solar and Stellar Oscillations,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fossat, E.: 1981, these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foukal, P., and Vernazza, J.: 1979, “The Effect of Magnetic Fields on Solar Luminosity,” Astrophys. J., 234, p. 707.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, E.N.: 1970, “Multichannel Magnetograph Observations,” Solar Phys., 14, p. 89.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gershberg, R.E.: 1975, “Flares of Red Dwarf Stars and Solar Activity,” IAU Symposium No. 67, p. 47.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, D.M.: 1981, “Stellar Analogs of Solar Microwave Phenomena,” these proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golub, L., Davis, J.M., and Krieger, A.S.: 1979, “Anticorrelation of X-ray Bright Points with Sunspot Number, 1970–1978,” Astrophys. J., 229, p. L145.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Habbal, S., Leer, E., and Holzer, T.: 1979, “Heating of Coronal Loops by Fast Mode MHD Waves,” Solar Phys., 64, p. 287.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D.S.: 1981, “The RS CVn Binaries,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, L., Londono, C., and Phillips, M.J., 229, p. 183.: 1979, “On the Long-term Variability of the K2e Star HD 224085,” Astrophys. J.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, L., and Rosner, R.: 1979, “Stellar Luminosity Stability: Luminosity Variations and Light-curve Period Changes in BY Dra Stars,” Astrophys. J., 230, p. 802.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, LH.: 1981a, “Stellar Spots — Physical Implications”, these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann, L.H.: 1981b, “Observations and Theory of Mass Loss in Late-type Stars,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollweg, J.V.: 1981, “Solar Active Regions: Mechanisms of Energy Supply” in Active Regions, Orrall, F.A., ed., Univ. of Colorado Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holt, S.S., White, N.E., Becker, R.H., Boldt, E.A., Mushotzsky, R.F., Seriemitsos, P.J., and Smith, B.W.: 1979, “X-Ray Line Emission from Capella,” Astrophys. J. 234, p. L65.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hood, A. and Priest, E., “Solar Flares: MHD Instabilities,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ionson, J.: 1978, “Alfvenic Surface Waves and the Heating of Coronal Loops,” Astrophys. J., 226, p. 650.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, R.P.: 1967, “Dependence of Rotation on Age Among Main Sequence Stars,” Astrophys. J., 150, p. 551.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Landini, M., and Monsignori-Fossi, B.C.: 1975, “A Loop Model of Active Coronal Regions,” Astron. Astrophys., 42, p. 213.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Leighton, R.B.: 1959, “Observations of Solar Magnetic Fields in Plage Regions,” Astrophys. J., 130, p. 366.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, R.H., and Withbroe, G.L., “Physics of an Active Region Loop System,” Solar Phys., 51, p. 83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mochnacki, S.W.: 1980, “Magnetic Braking of Stars. I. Did the Sun Ever Rotate Rapidly?” Preprint.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullan, D.J.: 1973, “Sunspots, Supergranules, and the Depth of the Solar Convection Zone,” Astrophys. J., 186, p. 1059.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Newkirk, G., Jr.: 1980, “Solar Variability in Timescales of 105 Years to 4 × 109 Years,” Proc. Conf. on the Ancient Sun, Pergamon Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E.N.: 1979, Cosmic Magnetic Fields: Their Origin and Their Activity, Clarendon Press, Oxford, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E.N.: 1981, “Spontaneous Concentration of Magnetic Fields,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrin, M.-N., Hejlesen, P.M., Cayrel de Strobel, G., and Cayrel, R.: 1977, “Fine Structure of the HR Diagram in the Solar Neighborhood,” Astron. Astrophys., 54, p. 779.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey, L.W., and Nations, H.L.: 1980, “HR 1099 and the Starspot Hypothesis,” Astrophys. J., 239, L121.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reasenberg, R.D., and Shapiro, I.I.: 1978, “Possible Measurements of J20 with a Solar Probe,” in A Closeup of the Sun, JPL Pub. No. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R.D., Jr.: 1980, “Magnetic Field Measurements on Stellar Sources: A New Method,” Astrophys. J., 239, p. 961.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, R.D., Worden, S.P., and Harvey, J.W.: 1980, “Observations of Magnetic Fields on Two Late-Type Stars,” Astrophys. J., 236, p. L155.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosner, R., Golub, L., Coppi, B., and Vaiana, G.S.: 1978, “Heating of Coronal Plasma by Anomalous Current Dissipation,” Astrophys. J., 222, p. 317.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosner, R., Tucker, W.H., and Vaiana, G.S.: 1978, “Dynamics of the Quiescent Solar Corona,” Astrophys. J., 220, p. 643.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Roxburgh, I.W.: 1976, “The Internal Structure of the Sun and Solar-type Stars,” in IAU Symposium No. 71, Basic Mechanisms of Solar Activity, Reidel, Dordrecht, p. 453.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Roxburgh, I.W.: 1978, “The Importance of Determining the Solar Quadrupole Moment,” in A Closeup of the Sun, JPL Pub. No. 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rucinski, S.M.: 1979, “Sizes of Spots in Spotted Stars,” Acta Astron., 29, p. 203.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Selinger, J.: 1980, private communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Severny, A., Wilcox, J.M., Sherer, P.H., and Colburn, D.S.: 1970, “Comparison of the Mean Photospheric Magnetic Field and the Interplanetary Field,” Solar Phys., 15, p. 3.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheeley, N.R.: 1967, “The Average Profile of the Solar K Line During the Sunspot Cycle,” Astrophys. J., 147, p. 1106.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Skumanich, A.: 1972, “Timescales for Ca II Emission Decay, Rotational Braking, and Li Depletion,” Astrophys. J., 171, p.565.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Skumanich, A., Smythe, C, and Frazier, E.N.: 1975, “Multichannel Observations of the Ca II Emission Network,” Astrophys. J., 20, p. 747.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M.A.: 1979, “Rotational Studies of Lower MS Stars,” P.A.S.P., 91, p. 737.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Stenflo, J.O.: 1976, “Small-scale Solar Magnetic Fields,” in IAU Symposium No. 71, Basic Mechanisms of Solar Activity, Reidel, Dordrecht, p. 69.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, W.H.: 1973, “Heating of Solar Active Regions by Magnetic Energy Dissipation,” Astrophys. J., 186, p. 285.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaiana, G.S., and Rosner, R.: 1978, “Recent Advances in Coronal Physics,” Ann. Rev. Astr. Astrophys., 16, p. 393.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaiana, G.S., et al.: 1980, “Results from an Extensive Einstein Stellar Survey,” Astrophys. J., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan, A.: 1980, “Comparison of Activity Cycles in Old and Young Main Sequence Stars,” P.A.S.P., 92, p. 392.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan, A., and Preston, G.W.: 1980, “A Survey of Chromospheric Ca II H and K Emission in Field Stars of the Solar Neighborhood,” P.A.S.P., 92, p. 385.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, S.S.: 1975, “Light and Color Variations of the Flare Star BY Draconis,” Astrophys. J., 199, p. 418.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Walter, F.M., Cash, W., Charles, P.A., and Bowyer, CS.: 1980, “X-Rays from RS CVn Systems: A HEAO I Survey and a Coronal Model,” Astrophys. J., 236, p. 212.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, E.J., and Davis, L., Jr.: 1967, “The Angular Momentum of the Solar Wind,” Astrophys. J., 148, p. 217.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wentzel, D.G.: 1978, “Heating of the Solar Corona: A New Outlook,” Rev. Geophys. Spa. Phys., 16, p. 757.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • White, O.R., and Livingston, W.: 1980, Astrophys. J., in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, O.C.: 1966, “Stellar Chromospheres,” Science, 151, p. 1487.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, O.C.: 1968, “Flux Measures of the Center of Stellar H and K Lines,” Astrophys. J., 153, p. 221.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, O.C.: 1978, “Chromospheric Variations in Main Sequence Stars,” Astrophys. J., 226, p. 379.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Withbroe, G.L.: 1981, “Physics of Static Loop Structures and Scaling Laws,” in Active Regions, Orrall, F.Q., ed., University College Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zirker, J.B.: 1981, “Coronal Holes and Solar Mass Loss,” these Proceedings.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 D. Reidel Publishing Company

About this paper

Cite this paper

Noyes, R.W. (1981). The Sun as a Star: Solar Phenomena and Stellar Applications. In: Bonnet, R.M., Dupree, A.K. (eds) Solar Phenomena in Stars and Stellar Systems. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 68. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8479-0_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8479-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-8481-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8479-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics