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The Sun makes music, and it could serve humans to listen to it. When the nearest star is going through its cycle of high and low activity – the maximum and minimum – it vibrates thanks to trapped sound waves bouncing around its surface. Researchers have analysed more than 40 years of astronomical data and focused on the quieter periods. Their question: does the Sun’s internal structure, or its music, change when things are calm? The answer: yes. Scientists found a significant acoustic wave “glitch” during the 2008-2009 minimum as well as a higher speed of sound. This suggests that gas pressure and temperatures were relatively higher, and magnetic fields weaker. These findings could help forecast solar storms and give scientists a better idea about which other star systems may be habitable. It could bring some new releases too.
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