Would you Hear a Stars Nuclear reactions if you were close to it?

In summary, the conversation is discussing the possibility of hearing a star's nuclear reactions if one were to be close to it. It is noted that sound cannot travel through the vacuum of space, but as one approaches a star, the density of the surrounding space increases and it is theorized that one might be able to hear random sounds generated by various means within the star's outer layers. However, it is uncertain if one would actually be able to hear the nuclear reactions themselves due to their rapid and numerous nature.
  • #1
PVastro
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Would you "Hear" a Stars Nuclear reactions if you were close to it?

Hey all,
This is more of a thought problem, but last night I was wondering about what it would be like to see a star up close (relatively speaking). Since stars are essentially a massive nuclear chain reaction you would think it would be a fairly noisy process. However while picturing this I realized sound cannot travel through a media-less vacuum like space.
So if you where sitting very close to a Star (excluding the fact radiation, heat, ect, would kill you) would it be completely silent, even with all of the massive reactions going on inside? Or in order for it to produce sound would you have to be inside the gas shell (gas as the medium for sound) in order to hear anything?
 
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  • #2


As you approach a star the density of the surrounding space starts at very very low, much lower than Earth's atmosphere, but starts to increase. If you were to be inside the stars atmosphere where the pressure is equal to 1 stp I would expect you to hear a great many things. Unfortunately I don't know if you could "hear" the nuclear reactions, as they happen so fast and in such great numbers that it wouldn't be a distinct sound. Plus you're talking about sound traveling through 300,000 km of very dense, multi-layered plasma. My guess is that you would hear random sounds that are generated by various means within the Suns outer layers, not the reactions themselves.
 
  • #3


I see I should have worded it better. I was saying nuclear reactions because that what causes all the energy, but i really just meant would the star itself make any noise, nuclear reactions was just a lazy way of putting thank you though.
 

1. What are nuclear reactions?

Nuclear reactions are processes in which the nucleus of an atom is altered, resulting in the release of energy in the form of radiation.

2. Can you hear a star's nuclear reactions?

No, you cannot hear a star's nuclear reactions because sound waves cannot travel through the vacuum of space. However, other forms of radiation, such as light and radio waves, can be detected.

3. How close would you have to be to a star to hear its nuclear reactions?

You would have to be extremely close to a star, within a few miles, for the sound waves to reach you. However, this would also put you in extreme danger due to the intense heat and radiation of the star.

4. What would it sound like if you were close to a star's nuclear reactions?

The sound would likely be a low rumble or hum, similar to the sound of a large engine or machinery. However, since sound waves cannot travel through space, we can only speculate on what it would sound like.

5. How do scientists study a star's nuclear reactions if they cannot hear them?

Scientists use various instruments, such as telescopes and satellites, to detect and analyze the different forms of radiation emitted by a star's nuclear reactions. They also use mathematical models and simulations to better understand and study these processes.

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