Tezpur University Physicists Uncover New Details About Solar Gravity
Scientists from Tezpur University in Assam have made significant discoveries about how gravity functions inside our Sun. The research comes from the university's department of physics and focuses on the core mechanisms that power our solar system's central star.
Challenging Traditional Gravity Theories
For decades, scientists have relied on Newtonian gravity to explain the Sun's behavior. This classical theory describes gravity as an attractive force between masses operating in flat spacetime. However, the new study explores an alternative framework known as Eddington-inspired Born–Infeld gravity.
This modified gravity theory operates in curved spacetime and provides a more realistic model for understanding stellar dynamics. The Sun contains approximately 99.86 percent of our solar system's total mass, making its gravitational influence absolutely fundamental to everything around it.
Groundbreaking Research Methodology
The research paper titled 'Stability and Wave Dynamics in Polytropic Eddington-inspired Born–Infeld Gravitating Solar Plasmas' recently appeared in Physical Review E. This prestigious journal is published by the American Physical Society.
Professor Pralay Kumar Karmakar and senior research fellow Souvik Das conducted the study together. They examined how thermonuclear hydrogen-helium fusion reactions generate energy within the solar core while being governed by gravitational forces.
"Our results demonstrate that even minor corrections to gravity can produce measurable effects on solar interior oscillations and energy transport," the authors explained. They emphasized the exciting alignment between their theoretical predictions and actual observations from solar Doppler measurements.
The Sun as a Natural Laboratory
Professor Karmakar, who supervised the project, highlighted the broader implications of their work. "This research clearly shows that we can use the Sun itself as a natural plasma laboratory," he stated. "Helioseismology opens a powerful new window for testing gravity theories that extend beyond Einstein's framework."
The study specifically analyzed data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and its Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager. These instruments provide detailed measurements of solar oscillations that reveal internal structures and processes.
Implications for Fundamental Physics
This research represents more than just an academic exercise. By studying how gravity operates within our nearest star, scientists gain insights into fundamental physical principles that govern the universe. The findings could influence how we understand other stars and celestial bodies throughout the cosmos.
The work conducted at Tezpur University demonstrates how regional institutions in India contribute significantly to global scientific advancement. Their innovative approach to studying solar phenomena through modified gravity theories offers fresh perspectives on longstanding astrophysical questions.
