Is the Sun really a rigid rotator

Abstract

Attention is drawn to observations of surface rotational bands in subgiants which indicate that a deep-seated reservoir of angular momentum must exist in these stars. This interpretation is compatible with theoretical studies of the rotational history of the Sun and Sun-like stars, but is in conflict with observations of p-mode splittings in the Sun. In order to understand better the source of this discrepancy, the predicted rotational splittings of several test rotation curves are compared to solar data.