Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: Mike on Oct 03, 2008, 16:50:22

Title: NASA Spacecraft Finds the Sun is Not a Perfect Sphere
Post by: Mike on Oct 03, 2008, 16:50:22
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists using NASA's RHESSI spacecraft have measured the roundness of the sun with unprecedented precision. They find that it is not a perfect sphere. During years of high solar activity the sun develops a thin "cantaloupe skin" that significantly increases its apparent oblateness: the sun's equatorial radius becomes slightly larger than its polar radius. Their results appear the Oct. 2nd edition of Science Express.



http://www.physorg.com/news142177077.html