The sun and its atmosphere consist of several zones or layers. From the
inside out, the solar interior consists of:
- the Core (the central region where nuclear reactions
consume hydrogen to form helium. These reactions release the energy that
ultimately leaves the surface as visible light. ),
- the Radiative Zone (extends outward from the outer
edge of the core to base of the convection zone, characterized by the
method of energy transport – radiation),
- and the Convection Zone (the outer-most layer of the
solar interior extending from a depth of about 200,000 km to the visible
surface where its motion is seen as granules and supergranules. ).
The solar atmosphere is made up of:
- the Photosphere (the visible surface of the Sun),
- the Chromosphere (an irregular layer above the
photosphere where the temperature rises from 6000°C to about 20,000°C),
- a Transition Region (a thin and very irregular layer
of the Sun’s atmosphere that separates the hot corona from the much cooler
chromosphere),
- and the Corona (the Sun’s outer atmosphere.).
- Beyond the corona is the solar wind, which is
actually an outward flow of coronal gas. The sun’s magnetic fields rise
through the convection zone and erupt through the photosphere into the
chromosphere and corona. The eruptions lead to solar activity, which
includes such phenomena as sunspots, flares, prominences, and coronal
mass ejections.
Credit: NASA/Goddard
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