- New Method Developed: Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) scientists have developed a novel method to accurately estimate Helium abundance in the Sun’s photosphere.
- Indirect Spectral Analysis: The method uses spectral lines of neutral Magnesium (Mg I) and neutral Carbon (C I), along with molecular lines of MgH, CH, and C₂ observed in the Sun’s photosphere.
- Helium’s Impact on Hydrogen: The method is based on the principle that the relative abundance of Helium affects the availability of Hydrogen, which in turn influences the formation and strength of molecular lines.
- Validation of Solar Value: The researchers matched the atomic and molecular abundances of Magnesium and Carbon for different Helium-to-Hydrogen (He/H) ratios, confirming that only at a He/H ratio of ~0.1 do the atomic and molecular line abundances agree.
- Challenge Addressed: This new study addresses the challenge of accurately measuring Helium abundance in the Sun’s photosphere, which has been difficult due to the absence of Helium spectral lines.
- Agreement with Helioseismology: The derived He/H ratios are in fair agreement with results obtained through helioseismological studies, signifying the reliability and accuracy of the novel technique.
- Confirms Widely Assumed Ratio: This study also confirms that the widely assumed 448 288 448s170.8 0 213.4-11.5c23.5-6.3 42-24.2 48.3-47.8 11.4-42.9 11.4-132.3 11.4-132.3s0-89.4-11.4-132.3zm-317.5 213.5V175.2l142.7 81.2-142.7 81.2z"/>
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and adopted (He/H) ratio of 0.1 is in fair agreement with the measurements.
Potential for Assessing Opacity: This accurate estimation of Helium abundance could be a major step in assessing the opacity of the Sun’s photosphere.
