Astronomy - The Sun

The Sun

The largest star in the solar system.

It is mdedium sized compared to other stars.

Composed of hydrogen and helium and a bit of carbon oxygen and iron

begain shining 5 mil years ago

radiation through nuclear fusion where two hydrogen atoms fuse and become helium atoms

Layers of the Sun

1. corona

2. chromosphere

3. sunspot

4. photosphere

5. prominences

6. convective zone

7. radiative zone

8. core

Corona

-outermost layer

-spikes and flares

Chromosphere

-Thin layer with red cast

-so bright can only be seen during solar eclipse

-responsible for red colour

Sunspot

-region on surface that is cooler than surrounding areas

-indicates regions where magnetic field is strong

Photosphere

-boundary betweeen inside and outside

-this is what we see frm earth

-lowest temp of all layers

-suns yellow colour originates here

prominences

-large bright stream of particles extending outwards from photosphere into corona

allows magnetic field to become visible

Convective zone

-constanr cirucclation of plasma between hotter and cooler regions

(heat transfer through the movement of fluids)

radiative zone

-surrounds the core

-plasma very dense

core

-inner part of sun

-pressure is high 15 mil degrees

-nuclear fusion happens at core

-energy produced causes sun to swell outwards