ABSTRACT
The frequency difference between prograde and retrograde sectoral solar oscillations is analysed to determine the rotation rate of the solar interior, assuming no latitudinal dependence. Much of the solar interior rotates sUghtty less rapidly than the surface, while the innermost part apparently rotates more rapidly. The resulting solar gravitational quadrupole moment is J2 = (1.7±0.4) × 10−7 and provides a negligible contribution to current planetary tests of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
