Solar atmosphere

Definition

The solar atmosphere is the outer layer of the Sun, which consists of several distinct regions including the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. These layers are responsible for various solar phenomena such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The photosphere is the lowest layer of the solar atmosphere and is where most of the Sun's visible light is emitted.
2. The chromosphere lies above the photosphere and is characterized by its reddish color observed during solar eclipses.
3. The corona is the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space and visible during total solar eclipses.
4. Temperatures in the corona can reach up to several million degrees Celsius, much hotter than the surface temperature of the Sun.
5. Solar wind, a stream of charged particles released from the corona, affects space weather and can impact satellite communications on Earth.

Review Questions

• What are the three main layers of the solar atmosphere?
• Why does the temperature increase dramatically in the corona compared to other layers?
• How does solar wind originate from the solar atmosphere?

Related terms

photosphere: The lowest layer of the Sun's atmosphere from which most visible light emanates.

chromosphere: A middle layer of the Sun's atmosphere noted for its red color observable during eclipses.

corona: The outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere characterized by extremely high temperatures and extending far into space.