: Measuring Solar Mass Loss

In summary, from nuclear theory and texts it is known that every second 570 millions tons of hydrogen are converted to 566 millton hellium,hence the Sun loses 4 mill tons of mass in a second. But, astronomers have not probed experimentally how much mass the Sun loses over time, and instruments are not likely to be sensitive enough to detect this.
  • #1
japam
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From nuclear theory and texts its known that every second 570 millions tons of hydrogen are converted to 566 millton hellium,hence Sun loss 4 mill tons of mass in a second. But ¿how do astrophicisist probe experimentally this number?,have they measured solar gravity field or Earth atraction variation during the years,for example? Are the instruments enough sensitive to detect this

JPAM
 
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  • #2
Is that metric or short tons? There's a difference.

That is probably based on Luminosity of the sun - or power radiated. There are also occasional coronal mass ejections (CME's) in which a large mass is blown off the sun.

Let's assume metric tons - so the sun looses 4 MT/sec or 4 Gkg/s ( 4 billion kg/s)

Putting that into perspective - the sun mass is approximately 2 x 1030 kg, so the sun looses (4 E9)/(2 E 30) or 2 E-21 of it's mass per sec.

In one year, or ~3.156 E 7 seconds, the sun would lose 6.31 E-14 of it's mass, and in 5 billion years, the sun would lose only, 0.0003156 of it mass, excluding CME's.

ref: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/sunfact.html

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/sun/basics.html
 
  • #3
4M T/s is about what you get if you use the energy output 3.8E26 J/s and E=mc^2.
The mass loss due to solar wind and gas ejection is much higher than this
 
  • #4
.

Do you have the data about how much is bigger the mass loss by solar wind than for nuclear reactions?
Regarding my first post, i guess that astronomers made theoretical models and then calculated 4 million tons/sec of mass converted in energy, but my question is that this number can be or has been probed experimentally,measureing for example a very small diminishing in gravitational atraction of the Sun on the Earth or a satellite ,for a timelapse of various decades
 
  • #5
nobody has done this. Instruments will probably never be sensitive enough but there is not much point anyway, its a reasonably well understood process, the reactions are simulated with particle accelerators
 

1. What is solar mass loss?

Solar mass loss refers to the gradual loss of mass from the Sun over time. It is primarily caused by solar wind, a stream of charged particles that are continuously released from the Sun's upper atmosphere.

2. How is solar mass loss measured?

Solar mass loss can be measured using various techniques, including observing the Sun's spectrum, studying its magnetic field, and tracking the motion of the Sun's surface. These methods allow scientists to estimate the amount of mass lost from the Sun per unit time.

3. Why is measuring solar mass loss important?

Measuring solar mass loss is crucial for understanding the Sun's evolution and its impact on the solar system and beyond. It also helps scientists predict potential changes in the Sun's behavior, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can have significant impacts on Earth.

4. How does solar mass loss affect the Earth?

The Sun's mass loss has a small but measurable effect on the Earth's orbit and climate. The solar wind can also interact with our planet's magnetic field and cause geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt communication and navigation systems and affect power grids.

5. Is the Sun losing mass at a constant rate?

No, the rate of solar mass loss is not constant and can vary depending on the Sun's activity. For example, during periods of high solar activity, the Sun's mass loss may increase due to more intense solar wind. Long-term measurements, however, show that the overall rate of mass loss is relatively stable.

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