Like all other stars, the Sun is a huge ball of extremely hot and largely ionized gas. Let's explore what we have learned about the Sun's atmosphere.
The photosphere is the lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere that we can observe directly. It consists of bright bubbling granules of plasma, cooler sunspots, and solar flares.
The chromosphere is a thin layer that emits a reddish glow, visible during a total solar eclipse. It conducts heat from the inner layers of the Sun to the corona.
The corona is the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere. It appears as white flames of gases flowing outwards. Temperatures can reach up to 3.5 million degrees Fahrenheit.
In April 2021, NASA's Parker Solar Probe passed the Alfven critical surface, marking the end of the Sun's atmosphere.
The Alfven critical surface is not smooth but has spikes and valleys. Parker Solar Probe's flyby revealed its irregular shape, providing valuable insights into the Sun's atmosphere.
The Alfven critical surface is not smooth but has spikes and valleys. Parker Solar Probe's flyby revealed its irregular shape, providing valuable insights into the Sun's atmosphere.
Switchbacks, zig-zag-shaped structures in the solar wind, were initially observed in the Sun's polar region. Later, it was discovered that switchbacks are rather common and originate in the photosphere.
As we continue to study the Sun through missions and research, we gain a deeper understanding of our star and its atmosphere. This knowledge helps us comprehend the Earth-Sun system and life around it.