the Stanford paper discusses subsurface layering only
it makes NO reference to a 'solid surface'
I'm also sure you're aware that the 'surface of the sun' always refers to the PHOTOSPHERE from which the visible light is emitted. The photosphere is a layer of low pressure gas some several hundred km thick.
I also looked at your avi movie link and saw the angular structure to which you refer. Fascinating yes .. but to deduce a solid iron surface (or whatever) from that, is en par with the 'Face on Mars' mentality IMO.
