Illustration depicting the differential rotation of stars. Because stars are fluid bodies, not solid; they do not have a simple rotation period. The S

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Illustration depicting the differential rotation of stars. Because stars are fluid bodies, not solid; they do not have a simple rotation period. The Sun, for example, takes 26 days to spin once at the equator, but around 35 days (10 days longer) at the poles. Other stars are thought to be similar, as depicted in this illustration. It is called differential rotation. Among other things, this is responsible for magnetic activity, because the uneven rotation buckles and kinks the global magnetic field, creating localised regions of magnetic activity where the field in amplified.

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Size: 3929px × 4448px
Photo credit: © MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: activity, art, artwork, astronomical, astronomy, differential, dynamo, illustration, magnetic, magnetism, rotation, space, spin, spots, star, starspots, sunspots