Life in the sun

[m_the0ry]

The metabolism first thread reminded me of some old thoughts. Here - in this post - the sun is just one example of an extrema.

Even though the sun is closer to us than many of the well-known planets, our understanding is lacking. Due to noise and extreme heat probes can't see very far into the sun, only a limited extent of its surface. We do however know that there are complex reaction cycles inside stars, and that all heavy elements are conceived inside of stars. In fact, some theories claim there exists at least one reaction cycle per known element inside of the sun.

With so many cyclic reactions on such a massive scale difference (atomic compared to the size of the sun; many many orders of magnitude) is it unreasonable to consider that sentience could exist *inside* of the sun? This 'life' would look like nothing we are used to, and no simulation has predicted a 'memory' element inside the sun that seems to be necessary for complex life to evolve.

Admittedly, this scenario is unlikely. But what about other scenarios where sentient life does exist, but its main medium is not the carbon-hydrogen bond? Is there really anything preventing gaseous or liquid life in the atmosphere of venus or the methane pools of titan? This possibility becomes far more realistic when we consider the vast array of environments existing outside of our own solar system.

How ironic would it be if - while SETI looks for signs of intelligence (water, carbon, things we hold commonplace) - the beings inside the sun are attempting to communicate with us via solar flares?

just something fun to think about.