Subsurface magnetic fields from helioseismology

Using even-order frequency splitting coefficients of global p-modes it is possible to infer the magnetic field in the solar interior as a function of radial distance and latitude. Results obtained using GONG and MDI data are discussed. While there is some signal of a possible magnetic field in the convection zone, there is little evidence for any temporal variation of the magnetic field in the solar interior. Limits on possible magnetic field in the solar core are also discussed. It is generally believed that the solar dynamo is located in the tachocline region. Seismic studies do not show any significant temporal variation in the tachocline region, though a significant latitudinal variation in the properties of the tachocline are found. There is some evidence to suggest that the latitudinal variation is not continuous and the tachocline may consist of two parts.Comment: 8 pages, to appear in proceedings of IAU Coll. 188, on Magnetic Coupling of the Solar Atmospher

High frequency and high wavenumber solar oscillations

We determine the frequencies of solar oscillations covering a wide range of degree (100< l <4000) and frequency (1.5 <\nu<10 mHz) using the ring diagram technique applied to power spectra obtained from MDI (Michelson Doppler Imager) data. The f-mode ridge extends up to degree of approximately 3000, where the line width becomes very large, implying a damping time which is comparable to the time period. The frequencies of high degree f-modes are significantly different from those given by the simple dispersion relation \omega^2=gk. The f-mode peaks in power spectra are distinctly asymmetric and use of asymmetric profile increases the fitted frequency bringing them closer to the frequencies computed for a solar model.Comment: Revised version. 1.2 mHz features identified as artifacts of data analysis. Accepted for publication in Ap

Estimate of solar radius from f-mode frequencies

Frequency and rotational splittings of the solar f-modes are estimated from the GONG data. Contrary to earlier observations the frequencies of f-modes are found to be close to the theoretically computed values for a standard solar model. The f-mode being essentially a surface mode is a valuable diagnostic probe of the properties of the solar surface, and also provides an independent measure of solar radius. The estimated solar radius is found to be about 0.03% less than what is traditionally used in construction of standard solar models. If this decrease in solar radius is confirmed then the current solar models as well as inversion results will need to be revised. The rotational splittings of the f-modes yield an independent measure of the rotation rate near the solar surface, which is compared with other measurements.Comment: 5 pages, A&A-TeX, 5 figure

The discrepancy between solar abundances and helioseismology

There have been recent downward revisions of the solar photospheric abundances of Oxygen and other heavy elements. These revised abundances along with OPAL opacities are not consistent with seismic constraints. In this work we show that the recently released OP opacity tables cannot resolve this discrepancy either. While the revision in opacities does not seem to resolve this conflict, an upward revision of Neon abundance in solar photosphere offers a possible solution to this problem.Comment: To appear in ApJ Letter

Solar cycle variations of large scale flows in the Sun

Using data from the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), we study the large-scale velocity fields in the outer part of the solar convection zone using the ring diagram technique. We use observations from four different times to study possible temporal variations in flow velocity. We find definite changes in both the zonal and meridional components of the flows. The amplitude of the zonal flow appears to increase with solar activity and the flow pattern also shifts towards lower latitude with time.Comment: To appear in Solar Physic

Constraining solar abundances using helioseismology

Recent analyses of solar photospheric abundances suggest that the oxygen abundance in the solar atmosphere needs to be revised downwards. In this study we investigate the consequence of this revision on helioseismic analyses of the depth of the solar convection zone and the helium abundance in the solar envelope and find no significant effect. We also find that the revised abundances along with the current OPAL opacity tables are not consistent with seismic data. A significant upward revision of the opacity tables is required to make solar models with lower oxygen abundance consistent with seismic observations.Comment: To appear in ApJ Letters. 12 pages (that include 4 figures

Does the Sun shrink with increasing magnetic activity?

It has been demonstrated that frequencies of f-modes can be used to estimate the solar radius to a good accuracy. These frequencies have been used to study temporal variations in the solar radius with conflicting results. The variation in f-mode frequencies is more complicated than what is assumed in these studies. If a careful analysis is performed then it turns out that there is no evidence for any variation in the solar radius.Comment: To appear in Astrophys.

Solar internal rotation rate and the latitudinal variation of the tachocline

A new set of accurately measured frequencies of solar oscillations are used to infer the rotation rate inside the Sun, as a function of radial distance as well as latitude. We have adopted a regularized least squares technique with iterative refinement for both 1.5D inversion using the splitting coefficients and 2D inversion using individual m splittings. The inferred rotation rate agrees well with earlier estimates showing a shear layer just below the surface and another one around the base of the convection zone. The tachocline or the transition layer where the rotation rate changes from differential rotation in the convection zone to almost latitudinally independent rotation rate in the radiative interior is studied in detail. No compelling evidence for any latitudinal variation in position and width of tachocline is found though it appears that the tachocline probably shifts to slightly larger radial distance at higher latitudes and possibly becomes thicker also. However, these variations are within the estimated errors and more accurate data would be needed to make a definitive statement about latitudinal variations.Comment: 15 pages, MNRAS-TeX, 15 figure