Neutrinos could give us real-time access to the solar core, help study its density
Scientists no longer need to rely on theoretical models to study the solar core. Neutrinos, resulting from nuclear fusions, can give us ready insights into the sun’s density structure.
In December last year, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe flew 3.8 million miles above the sun’s surface. This is the closest a man-made object has ever gotten to the sun. While the mission marked a significant achievement in space research, scientists aim to study not just the solar surface but also the activity inside its core.
This is because the internal solar environment plays an important role in determining the weather in space and also the Earth’s climate conditions. Scientists currently rely on theoretical models to understand the Sun’s density profile.
Now, a new study explores the possibility of studying the sun’s interiors using neutrinos. The study suggests that neutrinos emitted during nuclear fusion could offer real-time insights into the processes occurring deep within the sun’s core. This information could help us predict solar activity more accurately.
Catching neutrinos from the sun
Generally, scientists use the Standard Solar Model (SSM) to understand the sun’s internal activity and predict the changes its core undergoes over time. This is a theoretical model based on fundamental principles of physics and observations made by scientists.
However, the authors of the new study propose a more direct approach. It is well-known that the solar core continuously emits neutrinos due to fusion reactions. These tiny, nearly massless particles travel through the sun and escape into space, with some reaching our planet.