Title:   

Vibrations and Waves in the Sun



Stuart Jefferies 
Maui Scientific Research Center/Univ of New Mexico



Abstract:


Vibrations and waves are prevalent throughout the Sun, from the
deep interior to the corona. For the past thirty years solar
astronomers have capitalized on this fact to accurately measure
the properties of the solar interior using techniques similar to
those used for terrestrial seismology. Today researchers are
starting to turn to solar seismology as a means for improving
our understanding of the highly dynamic solar atmosphere.

After a brief review of how we use vibrations and waves to measure the
Sun's properties, I will describe a new instrument that is designed to
seismically measure the properties of the Sun's atmosphere. I will then
present some early results from an observational campaign carried out
at the South Pole in January 2003, and show that we may be able to
seismically determine the topology of the magnetic field in the Sun's
chromosphere.  I will conclude with some speculation about future
directions for solar seismology.