Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: neilep on 25/08/2008 00:22:06

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 25/08/2008 00:22:06

Dear Sunologists and Factor 50+ Appliers !

As a sheep I of course am not a sun worshipper !..having said that, I just ordered this from www.StarsRus.com : (oh for heavens sake I'm trying to make fake websites but they all exist..so far I've tried purchaseastar.com and buyastar.com )...and now starsRus exists too...DOH !!


 [ Invalid Attachment ]

Being delivered next Tuesday.

Say it's too big to fit in my garden, what would happen to it if (and humour me will ya ?).....if I was able to get a big knife (the knife would be deeper than the diameter of the star)..and slice my star in two ?...would it become two planets ? or two smaller stars !

Please advise as I'm also having the Arctic delivered also to fuel my air con !

thanks



neil
Sensible Question About Star Asker

xxxxxxxxx

ps: If all goes well...then invites to a BBQ will follow.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: syhprum on 25/08/2008 16:24:42

The minimum mass for an operating star is about 8.3% that of the Sun so you could chop your Sun sized star into 16 pieces and the bits would still be considered stars.
Go any smaller and you would end up with brown dwarfs that would not support nuclear fusion.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: LeeE on 25/08/2008 16:45:21

Since you'd burn your fingers while you were holding it, to cut it in half with a knife, and because I doubt the you've got a big enough vice to hold it in, perhaps you'd be better off trying to chop it in half with a sword instead.  You might need to practice a bit first, to get your aim in.

Don't forget that the insides of it are under a lot of pressure, so expect it's core to spray out everywhere and make a mess.  Normally, for this sort of thing, I'd suggest holding it over the kitchen sink but if you're going to try the sword you probably won't have enough clearance for a clean swing at it and are likely to break something.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 25/08/2008 18:25:56

Quote from: syhprum on 25/08/2008 16:24:42

The minimum mass for an operating star is about 8.3% that of the Sun so you could chop your Sun sized star into 16 pieces and the bits would still be considered stars.
Go any smaller and you would end up with brown dwarfs that would not support nuclear fusion.

Thank You syhprum

..This is wonderful news...... with sixteen poles I can make some nice garden lights. You are most certainly invited to my BBQ !

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 25/08/2008 18:30:30

Quote from: LeeE on 25/08/2008 16:45:21

Since you'd burn your fingers while you were holding it, to cut it in half with a knife, and because I doubt the you've got a big enough vice to hold it in, perhaps you'd be better off trying to chop it in half with a sword instead.  You might need to practice a bit first, to get your aim in.

Don't forget that the insides of it are under a lot of pressure, so expect it's core to spray out everywhere and make a mess.  Normally, for this sort of thing, I'd suggest holding it over the kitchen sink but if you're going to try the sword you probably won't have enough clearance for a clean swing at it and are likely to break something.

Thank you very much LeeE

....I was going to use my oven gloves and am sure they will provide enough insulation.

A sword is an excellent idea, I've ordered one from that bloke in Kill Bill 2......fortunately my neighbour has a pool so I'll be able to perform the ritual slice with plenty of space.

You are also most welcome to my BBQ.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 25/08/2008 18:33:31

Seriously though. I am very grateful for these answers.

Why then do stars not create themselves when they reach the necessary minimum mass ?

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: DonBrown on 26/08/2008 15:24:11

Quote from: neilep on 25/08/2008 18:33:31

Why then do stars not create themselves when they reach the necessary minimum mass ?

I've no idea.
Perhaps they have to be hot as well?  Maybe they don't get hot enough to start until they are much bigger?
Perhaps they continue to grow even after they have become stars?
 

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Karen W. on 26/08/2008 15:32:16

What a cool Question.. Nice answers to...

The concept that perhaps they are not hot enough is one I would not have considered.. but you make a good suggestion... I wonder if that is possible?

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Karen W. on 26/08/2008 15:35:11

Quote from: neilep on 25/08/2008 00:22:06

Dear Sunologists and Factor 50+ Appliers !

As a sheep I of course am not a sun worshipper !..having said that, I just ordered this from www.StarsRus.com : (oh for heavens sake I'm trying to make fake websites but they all exist..so far I've tried purchaseastar.com and buyastar.com )...and now starsRus exists too...DOH !!


 [ Invalid Attachment ]

Being delivered next Tuesday.

Say it's too big to fit in my garden, what would happen to it if (and humour me will ya ?).....if I was able to get a big knife (the knife would be deeper than the diameter of the star)..and slice my star in two ?...would it become two planets ? or two smaller stars !

Please advise as I'm also having the Arctic delivered also to fuel my air con !

thanks



neil
Sensible Question About Star Asker

xxxxxxxxx

ps: If all goes well...then invites to a BBQ will follow.

Nice links Neily! LOL...I find links for most things put in the bar these days! LOL

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: RD on 26/08/2008 16:45:06

Quote from: DonBrown on 26/08/2008 15:24:11

Perhaps they continue to grow even after they have become stars?

Correct...

Quote

Material continues to flow onto new stars for some time after ignition.
The energy from infalling material exceeds, in some cases, the energy from nuclear fusion in young stars.

http://www.physics.isu.edu/~hackmart/stellarevo.pdf

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 26/08/2008 21:59:47

Quote from: DonBrown on 26/08/2008 15:24:11

Quote from: neilep on 25/08/2008 18:33:31

Why then do stars not create themselves when they reach the necessary minimum mass ?

I've no idea.
Perhaps they have to be hot as well?  Maybe they don't get hot enough to start until they are much bigger?
Perhaps they continue to grow even after they have become stars?
 

Well.....see ?...ewe are kleveur !!..(see RD'spost) .........without eve knowing about the nature of star size ewe have somehow mastered it !

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: neilep on 26/08/2008 22:00:46

Quote from: RD on 26/08/2008 16:45:06

Quote from: DonBrown on 26/08/2008 15:24:11

Perhaps they continue to grow even after they have become stars?

Correct...

Quote

Material continues to flow onto new stars for some time after ignition.
The energy from infalling material exceeds, in some cases, the energy from nuclear fusion in young stars.

http://www.physics.isu.edu/~hackmart/stellarevo.pdf

Nice !!...quality infomage from RD

Thanks RD.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Alan McDougall on 27/08/2008 13:22:16

Easy man!! we would freeze  before we knew the answerv

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: techmind on 27/08/2008 21:13:40

Quote from: neilep on 25/08/2008 00:22:06

Say it's too big to fit in my garden, what would happen to it if (and humour me will ya ?).....if I was able to get a big knife (the knife would be deeper than the diameter of the star)..and slice my star in two ?...would it become two planets ? or two smaller stars !

For safety, please get an adult sheepy to help you when using the big knife or sword  [;D]

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: LeeE on 27/08/2008 22:11:47

Good point techmind.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Don_1 on 28/08/2008 08:58:22

You have all missed one rather important fact here that makes cutting the sun in half impossible.

The knife (or sword, or chain saw) would melt. I would suggest you blow the sun out and let it cool for while before cutting. As with a fresh baked loaf of bread, this will also prevent the inside from going all doughy.

To re-ignite the 2 halves of the sun, I suggest you buy a box of very long Swan Vesta.

Speaking of 'baked', I think I'm half way there. [:o)]

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: LeeE on 29/08/2008 00:26:58

The inside isn't, or won't go, "all doughy"  If anything, the inside is really fizzy.  In fact, neilep's best bet, I reckon, is to put his sun in the fridge for a while, before he tries to chop it in half.  That should make it a bit more manageable, as long as he doesn't bump it in to anything when he's taking out of the fridge - that could make it very fizzy again indeed.  This could be very bad news if you're not expecting it and haven't got some kitchen towels ready, with which to clean up the mess.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Allmine on 30/08/2008 22:29:59

I heard Jupiter is basically an unignited star. I think im gonna throw a nuke in it and make my own star!

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: stevewillie on 31/08/2008 09:02:58

All the hot topics around here don't seem to be very serious. Is that why you call this site "The Naked Scientist." Are scientists funny when they're naked? 

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Don_1 on 31/08/2008 11:28:33

Funny????? No

Pathetic..... Maybe

Horrific..... Good chance

In need of sympathy.... without a shadow of doubt.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: Freeman on 31/08/2008 14:35:50

Quote from: Allmine on 30/08/2008 22:29:59

I heard Jupiter is basically an unignited star. I think im gonna throw a nuke in it and make my own star!

Haha Good luck on that[;D].

Now for the problem at hand.To "ignite" a star to start the fusion proses.Gravity needs to compress the mater to extremely high pressures and temperatures to enable a fusion reaction to start.Just throwing a nuclear device in a uncompleted star will just create a very small black scorch mark on the stars outer surface.Now reaction will be prevalent after detonation as the bomb does not have the energy to exert the pressure and temperatures needed for fusion

Cheers
Magneto.

Title: What Would Happen To The Sun If I chopped It In Half ?
Post by: syhprum on 31/08/2008 15:27:58

The smallest body that can maintain nuclear fusion of Hydrogen needs a mass 75 times that of Jupiter.
Somewhat smaller bodies can maintain the fusion of Deuterium but they need to be about 20 times the mass of Jupiter and it soon runs out.