The Sun

Luminosity

The total amount of energy a star radiates per second.

Intensity

The power per unit area carried by a wave, calculated as I = L/(4πR²).

Radiative Zone

The layer of the Sun where energy is transported outward primarily by radiation.

Convective Zone

The outer layer of the Sun's interior where energy is transported by convection.

Photosphere

The apparent surface of the Sun, what we see.

Core

The innermost layer of the Sun where nuclear fusion takes place.

Granulation

The pattern of hotter, brighter regions and cooler, darker regions on the Sun's surface, indicative of convective heat transfer.

Stefan's Law

The law stating that the intensity of a fixed area of ideal thermal emitter rises quickly with temperature.

Hydrostatic Equilibrium

The balance between inward gravitational force and outward pressure in the Sun.

Solar Wind

The flow of charged particles ejected from the Sun's corona.

Solar Flares

Large explosions on the Sun’s surface associated with changes in its magnetic field.

Sun Spots

Dark spots on the Sun's surface that are cooler than the surrounding areas.

Coronal Mass Ejection

An immense burst of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the corona or being released into space.

Nuclear Fusion

The process by which multiple atomic nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Quantum Mechanics

The branch of physics describing the behavior of matter and energy on atomic and subatomic scales.

Blackbody

An idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation and re-emits energy.”