Is the Sun helium-deficient

The recent observations of solar 5-min oscillations of low degree agree approximately with the predictions of a standard solar model with normal abundances of helium and heavy elements. Much of the apparent discrepancy noticed when the observations were first announced was a result of having neglected the influence of the Sun's atmosphere in the normal mode analysis of the theoretical models. The standard solar models discussed here are not in perfect agreement with observation, but it seems that major modifications will not be necessary to remove the remaining small discrepancies. (author)