Anatomy of the Sun

15m C

Core

2-7m F

Radiative zone

3200 C - 2m C

Convection zone

5500 C

Photosphere

6000 C - 22000 C

Chromosphere

1-3m C

Corona

Core

The center of the sun

Radiative zone

Surrounding the core

Convection zone

Surrounds the radiative zone

Photosphere

The visible surface of the Sun

Chromosphere

A thin, reddish glowing layer above the photosphere

Corona

The outermost layer made of thin glowing gases

1. Nuclear fusion

2. Energy powers the sun

Core

1. Energy slowly moves out

2. Energy can take up to 1m years to escape

Radiative zone

1. Gases go through convection

2. Creates visible patterns on the sun

Convection zone

1. Sunspots appear

2. Its light travels to Earth in about 8 minutes

Photosphere

1. Hard to see

2. Visible during solar eclipses

Chromosphere

1. The hottest layer

2. Best seen during solar eclipses

Corona