Astronomy

Listening to the Sun

Choose a spherical oscillation mode. Watch the nodes stay still while opposite regions move in opposite directions.

Actual application image

The model and its limits

One standing spherical harmonic on a sphere. Displacement is hugely magnified; the frequency is prescribed, not derived from a solar interior inversion.

Equations used in the module

Equations
ξ_r ∝ P_l^m(cos θ) cos(mφ) cos(ωt); frequency and magnification are prescribed

Related experiments

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Astronomy

When a cloud begins to collapse

Cool or compress a molecular cloud. Compare its mass with the Jeans mass and follow the pressureless collapse clock when gravity wins.

Astronomy

The expanding remains of a star

Expand a shock through interstellar gas. Increase the explosion energy or ambient density and compare the shock radius and speed.

Astronomy

A dying star’s luminous shell

Shape an expanding stellar envelope from a round shell into bipolar lobes. Track its expansion age and the fading emission measure.