IIA study estimates helium abundance in the Sun's photosphere
Indian Institute of Astrophysics researchers used magnesium and carbon spectral features to estimate the helium abundance in the Sun's photosphere, finding a helium-to-hydrogen ratio consistent with 0.1, DST said on 24 April 2025.
Summary
A study by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, has estimated the abundance of helium in the Sun's photosphere using magnesium and carbon features in the Sun's high-resolution spectrum, since helium produces no observable spectral lines from the photosphere. The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal by Satyajeet Moharana, B. P. Hema and Gajendra Pandey, found a helium-to-hydrogen ratio consistent with 0.1, in fair agreement with helioseismology results and with the widely assumed value.
Key facts
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (DST)
- Method
- Magnesium and carbon atomic and molecular lines
- Result
- He/H ratio consistent with 0.1
- Journal
- Astrophysical Journal
- Authors
- Satyajeet Moharana, B. P. Hema, Gajendra Pandey
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The IIA study reported on 24 April 2025 found the helium-to-hydrogen ratio in the Sun's photosphere to be consistent with which value?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 0.1
The inferred He/H ratio is consistent with 0.1, the widely assumed value.
Consider the following about the IIA study on helium in the Sun: 1. It used magnesium and carbon features in the Sun's spectrum to estimate helium abundance. 2. It was published in the Astrophysical Journal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as per the DST release.