Bayesian Seismology of the Sun

TL;DR

This paper applies Bayesian analysis to solar oscillation data to investigate the solar composition problem, revealing systematic issues in stellar models and age discrepancies that impact asteroseismic inferences.

Contribution

First Bayesian asteroseismic analysis of the solar composition problem highlighting model discrepancies and age estimation issues.

Findings

No decisive evidence favoring either chemical composition.

Revised abundances (AGSS09) are generally more probable.

Models are several hundred million years older than meteoritic age.

Abstract

We perform a Bayesian grid-based analysis of the solar l=0,1,2 and 3 p modes obtained via BiSON in order to deliver the first Bayesian asteroseismic analysis of the solar composition problem. We do not find decisive evidence to prefer either of the contending chemical compositions, although the revised solar abundances (AGSS09) are more probable in general. We do find indications for systematic problems in standard stellar evolution models, unrelated to the consequences of inadequate modelling of the outer layers on the higher-order modes. The seismic observables are best fit by solar models that are several hundred million years older than the meteoritic age of the Sun. Similarly, meteoritic age calibrated models do not adequately reproduce the observed seismic observables. Our results suggest that these problems will affect any asteroseismic inference that relies on a calibration to the Sun.