How variable is the SUN

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Tue, 10/28/2014 - 17:33

Howdy,

 I never thought of the Sun as being a variable start? So I guess the question is how variable is it? 

David

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
How valuable is the sun or the data from the observations

Hi:  I was reminded how valuable it is when I attended the Solar Physics devision  meeting in Boston, Mass. Alot a folks doing research need the data.  I have also subsribed to the Sun-Earth connection website.  It is our nearest Star.  Without its' warmth. Where would we be?  Best HNL

Affiliation
American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Not much!

The short answer - It is very slightly variable, but like all average mid-main sequence stars, they can be considered of essentially constant energy output. The major variation is the 11-year solar cycle, where the output varies by about one part in a thousand, or one milli-magnitude (0.001).

Mike LMK