Solar Neutrinos and Variations in the Solar Luminosity

Abstract

Recent study of solar models suggests that the solar luminosity could vary on a time scale shorter than the age of the earth. Two possible processes that could cause luminosity variation, the diffusion of heavy elements into the center of the Sun and a pulsational instability caused by the distribution of $sup 3$He, are discussed. None of the explanations for the lack of detectable neutrinos are satisfactory. 33 references. (BJG)