New Solar Seismic Models and the Neutrino Puzzle

Abstract

The SoHO spacecraft made astrophysicists achieve a major breakthrough in the knowledge of the Sun. In helioseismology, both GOLF and MDI experiments aboard SoHO greatly improve the accuracy of seismic data. More specifically, the detection of an enhanced number of low degree low order modes improves the accuracy on the sound speed and density profiles in the solar core. After a description of these profiles, we build solar seismic models. Different models are considered and enable us to derive precise emitted neutrino fluxes. These ones are validated by the seismic data and are in agreement with the recent detected neutrinos, assuming 3 neutrino flavors. The seismic models are also used to put limits on large scale magnetic fields in the solar interior. This analysis puts some upper bounds of about 3x10^7 G in the radiative zone. Such a field could slightly improve the emitted neutrino flux, which remains in agreement with the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory result of 2001. From the models we deduce gravity mode predictions, and the electron and neutron radial densities that are useful to calculate the neutrino oscillations. We also begin to discuss how the external magnetic field may influence such quantities.