fr en es pt
Astronomy
Asteroids and Comets Black Holes Children Chemical Elements Constellations Earth Eclipses Environment Equations Evolution Exoplanets Galaxies Light Matter Moons Nebulas Planets and Dwarf Planets Probes and Telescopes Scientists Stars Sun Universe Volcanoes Zodiac New Articles Shorts Archives Glossary
RSS astronoo
Follow me on X
Follow me on Bluesky
Follow me on Pinterest
English
Français
Español
Português
 


Last updated July 30, 2025

Why Does the Sun Rotate So Slowly? The Mystery of the Missing Angular Momentum

Distribution of Angular Momentum in the Solar System

What is Angular Momentum?

Angular Momentum is a vector quantity that measures the amount of rotation of a body relative to a point: \( \vec{L} = \vec{r} \times \vec{p} \)

\( \vec{L} \): Angular momentum, \( \vec{r} \): Position vector, which goes from the reference point (origin) to the moving body, \( \vec{p} \): Momentum of the body.

Theorem of Angular Momentum

The law of conservation of angular momentum is a fundamental principle of classical and quantum mechanics. It states that in an isolated system (where no net external force exerts a moment), the total angular momentum is conserved.

Physical Examples

Origin of the Solar System Angular Momentum Paradox

In a scenario of a collapsing rotating proto-solar cloud, we expect the angular momentum to be conserved. However, simulations show that in the absence of angular momentum transfer mechanisms, the Sun should rotate much faster in a few hours instead of 27 days.

The angular momentum of the Solar System is largely concentrated in the planets, particularly the gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. This fact is counterintuitive: the Sun contains more than 99.8% of the mass of the Solar System, but only about 2% of its total angular momentum. In contrast, Jupiter and Saturn alone account for more than 90% of this angular momentum.

Physical Definition of Orbital Angular Momentum

The orbital angular momentum \( L \) of a body of mass \( m \), moving in a circular orbit of radius \( r \) with a velocity \( v \), is given by: \( L = m \cdot r \cdot v \)

For a Keplerian orbit, \( L \) can be expressed in terms of the mass \( M \) of the central star (here the Sun), by: \( L = m \cdot \sqrt{G M r} \) where \( G \) is the gravitational constant.

The angular momentum paradox of the Solar System is an astrophysical enigma related to the unexpected distribution of angular momentum between the Sun and the planets.

Quantification of the Paradox

Distribution of Angular Momentum in the Solar System
BodyAngular Momentum (kg·m²/s)% of TotalComments
Jupiter1.9 × 104360%Dominant planet in orbital momentum
Saturn7.8 × 104225%Second major contributor
Other Planets3.8 × 104212%Includes Uranus, Neptune, etc.
Sun (rotation)1.9 × 1041~2%Low differential rotation
Asteroids and Comets~1039<0.01%Negligible contribution

Source: NASA Planetary Fact Sheet, Ward & Canup 2002

Proposed Explanations for Resolving This Paradox

The Main Reason for the Paradox: Magnetic Braking of the Young Sun

The main reason explaining the angular momentum paradox of the Solar System is magnetic braking, associated with the coupling between the magnetic field of the young Sun and the protoplanetary disk.

The Sun lost most of its rotational angular momentum to the disk, and then to the planets. The planets, forming at great distances, inherited most of the total angular momentum.

Why is This Explanation Preferred?

Articles on the same theme

The Faint Young Sun Paradox: Why Wasn't Early Earth Frozen? The Faint Young Sun Paradox: Why Wasn't Early Earth Frozen?
380 billion billion megawatts: The Solar Energy Excess 380 billion billion megawatts: The Solar Energy Excess
The Ecliptic or the Apparent Orbit of the Sun The Ecliptic or the Apparent Orbit of the Sun
Solar maximum and minimum Solar maximum and minimum
How to weigh the sun? How to weigh the sun?
The spicules of the Blue Sun The spicules of the Blue Sun
Explanation of the 8 of the analemma Explanation of the 8 of the analemma
Superb annular eclipse of 2010 Superb annular eclipse of 2010
The ring of fire from March 2010 The ring of fire from March 2010
Simulator, the revolution of the planets around the Sun Simulator, the revolution of the planets around the Sun
The solar system ice line The solar system ice line
Tourist trip in the solar system Tourist trip in the solar system
Finally the return of sunspots in 2010 Finally the return of sunspots in 2010
Solar pillar, a link between sky and earth Solar pillar, a link between sky and earth
The infernal journey of the photon or random walk The infernal journey of the photon or random walk
Dynamics of Solar Cycles and Physical Mechanisms of Solar Flares Dynamics of Solar Cycles and Physical Mechanisms of Solar Flares
Baily grains in a solar eclipse Baily grains in a solar eclipse
The Sun is a yellow dwarf star The Sun is a yellow dwarf star
Grains of Baily or pearls of light Grains of Baily or pearls of light
Sunlight and wavelengths Sunlight and wavelengths
The chaotic formation of the solar system The chaotic formation of the solar system
The perfect solar storm The perfect solar storm
Coronal mass ejections Coronal mass ejections
Why Does the Sun Rotate So Slowly? The Mystery of the Missing Angular Momentum Why Does the Sun Rotate So Slowly? The Mystery of the Missing Angular Momentum
Venus Transit of June 5 and 6, 2012: Last Crossing Before a Century Venus Transit of June 5 and 6, 2012: Last Crossing Before a Century
Transit of the Moon in front of the Sun seen from space in 2007 Transit of the Moon in front of the Sun seen from space in 2007
Solar Winds: A Key Phenomenon of Interplanetary Space Solar Winds: A Key Phenomenon of Interplanetary Space
Heliosphere: At the Borders of the Solar System Heliosphere: At the Borders of the Solar System
Chaos and sensitivity to initial conditions Chaos and sensitivity to initial conditions

1997 © Astronoo.com − Astronomy, Astrophysics, Evolution and Ecology.
"The data available on this site may be used provided that the source is duly acknowledged."
How Google uses data
Legal mentions
English Sitemap − Full Sitemap
Contact the author