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Flashcards for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: Little Dark Spots and Top Of Convection

Photosphere

  • Definition: The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun that emits light.

  • Importance: This layer represents the part of the sun we can observe directly with visible light.

Sunspots

  • Definition: Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the solar photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas.

  • Origin: They are caused by magnetic activity; regions of the sun's magnetic fields interrupt the flow of heat from the interior.

  • Characteristics:

    • Sunspots appear darker because they are cooler than the surrounding areas, which can be significantly hotter.

    • Appearance: They typically manifest as small dark spots against the brighter photosphere.

    • Magnetic Poles: Sunspots are associated with the North and South magnetic poles on the sun's surface.

Granules

  • Definition: Granules are the small, bright features on the sun’s photosphere that are visible through telescopes.

  • Explanation: They resemble tiny grains, often compared to Rice Krispies or sugar snaps.

  • Size and Lifespan:

    • Each granule is enormous, approximately the size of Texas.

    • They represent the tops of convection cells within the sun's surface, where hot plasma rises, cools, and sinks back down.

    • Duration: Granules typically last about 10 to 20 minutes before dissipating and being replaced by new ones.

Summary

  • The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun, characterized by sunspots and granules, which provide insight into the sun's magnetic and convection activities, respectively. Sunspots indicate cooler regions related to magnetic fields, while granules depict the dynamic convection processes occurring within the sun's atmosphere.


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Flashcards for Chapter 1 and Chapter 2: Little Dark Spots and Top Of Convection

Photosphere

  • Definition: The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun that emits light.
  • Importance: This layer represents the part of the sun we can observe directly with visible light.

Sunspots

  • Definition: Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the solar photosphere that appear as spots darker than the surrounding areas.
  • Origin: They are caused by magnetic activity; regions of the sun's magnetic fields interrupt the flow of heat from the interior.
  • Characteristics:
    • Sunspots appear darker because they are cooler than the surrounding areas, which can be significantly hotter.
    • Appearance: They typically manifest as small dark spots against the brighter photosphere.
    • Magnetic Poles: Sunspots are associated with the North and South magnetic poles on the sun's surface.

Granules

  • Definition: Granules are the small, bright features on the sun’s photosphere that are visible through telescopes.
  • Explanation: They resemble tiny grains, often compared to Rice Krispies or sugar snaps.
  • Size and Lifespan:
    • Each granule is enormous, approximately the size of Texas.
    • They represent the tops of convection cells within the sun's surface, where hot plasma rises, cools, and sinks back down.
    • Duration: Granules typically last about 10 to 20 minutes before dissipating and being replaced by new ones.

Summary

  • The photosphere is the visible surface of the sun, characterized by sunspots and granules, which provide insight into the sun's magnetic and convection activities, respectively. Sunspots indicate cooler regions related to magnetic fields, while granules depict the dynamic convection processes occurring within the sun's atmosphere.