The Sun is the most important part of the solar system.This article will discuss the Sun, its composition, some interesting facts and the layers of the atmosphere of the Sun.
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What is the Sun?
The largest object present in our solar system is the Sun; it is a hot glowing ball of Hydrogen and Helium. The Sun is a 4.5-billion-year-old star located at the centre of our solar system, and life could not exist on planet Earth without its energy.
If the universe is concerned, the Sun is just a normal star, but it is a far brighter and bigger star close to the Earth. Hence, there is no doubt about the significance of the Sun in the solar system as it satisfies all our energy requirements and also it is the reason for our survival.
Interesting Facts about the Sun
- The Sun is the largest object in the solar system, with a diameter of 1.39 million kilometres and an approximate age of 4.5 billion years.
- It is estimated that due to continuous thermal nuclear reactions, the temperature of the core of the Sun is more than 15 million K while the temperature of its surface is approximately 6000 K.
- 99.8% of the total mass of our Solar System is accounted for by the Sun.
- The Sun rotates in the counterclockwise direction. It is a huge burning ball of gases that contain approximately 73.4% Hydrogen and 25% Helium, and it has a rotation period of 25 days and 9 hours.
- The magnetic field of the Sun enfolds the entire Solar System since it is very strong.
- The Hydrogen fuel of the Sun can sustain for more than 5 billion years. After that, the Earth will vanish because it will endure extreme changes.
Composition of Sun’s Atmosphere
In terms of elements present, all the stars have an almost similar configuration. We can determine the composition of a star using its absorption line spectrum.
A lot of other elements apart from Hydrogen and Helium are present in the Sun’s atmosphere.
Internal Structure and Atmosphere of the Sun
The atmosphere of the Sun is formed by its outer layers. There are primarily three layers that make up the atmosphere which is named as the core, the radiative zone, and the convective zone. These are the internal parts of the Sun.
1. Core
The centremost region of the Sun is known as the core; this is the region where Hydrogen turns into Helium through the nuclear fusion reaction. With temperatures believed to be reaching more than 15 million degrees Celsius, the core is considered to be the hottest region of the Sun. When we move towards the outward layers, the density and temperature decrease, and at the centre of the core, it is about 150 g/cm3.
2. Radiative Zone
Between the core and the convection zone, there lies the radiative zone; by means of radiative diffusion and thermal conduction, the energy in this layer transports outside, which travels in the form of electromagnetic radiation by photons. Bouncing from particle to particle, photons transfer energy. At the edge of the radiative zone, the density of this layer reduces from 20 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3.
3. Convection Zone
The outermost layer of the Sun’s interior is known as the convection zone. This zone uses convection mode to transfer energy. The temperature at its base is about 2 million degrees Celsius. The temperature in this zone is low enough for the heavier ions like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, iron and calcium to hold on to some of their electrons.
Layers of the Atmosphere of the Sun
The atmosphere of the Sun is made up of six layers; let us discuss them, one by one:
1. Photosphere
- The Photosphere has a thickness of about 500 KM, and all the visible light from the Sun comes from this layer.
- With temperature coming down to approximately 5500 degrees Celsius, it is said to be the coolest part of the Sun because with an increase in height, the temperature drops.
- The phenomenon of Sunspots happens in the Photosphere.
2. Sunspots
- The dark spots on the surface of the Sun are known as Sunspots; this happens because the region becomes darker and cooler than the surroundings due to intense magnetic fields on the surface.
- The lifetime of Sunspots is generally less; it fluctuates from a few days to a few months.
- Umbra is named as the centre of a sunspot, and penumbra is known as the lighter region of the surrounding.
- The absence of Sunspots might affect the Earth’s climate because it is supposed that the Sun becomes 1% cooler in the absence of Sunspots.
3. Chromosphere
- The Chromosphere is visible as a dim red ring, and it lies just above the Photosphere.
- Only during the Solar Eclipses, when the Photosphere is hidden, visible light from the Chromosphere can be seen.
- With the increase in height, its temperature increases.
4. Corona
- The Corona layer is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, and it lies above the Chromosphere.
- During a total Solar Eclipse, it can be seen as a white glowing Corona.
- Up to 2 million degrees Celsius, the temperature on the Corona spreads, and the reason for it is still unknown.
- Coronal mass ejection, Solar winds, and Solar flares are the phenomenon related to Corona.
Awesome facts about the Sun
The Rare Annular Solar Eclipse:
5. Solar Flares
- When magnetic energy is suddenly released, immediate flashy and increased brightness occurs, which is known as Solar flares.
- Magnetic irregularities are the reason for their occurrence.
- Anywhere between 10 to 20 million degrees Celsius, these are magnetic storms that heat up.
6. Solar Winds
- The flow of energised, charged particles at a very high speed is known as Solar wind.
- At a temperature equal to 1 million degrees Celsius, the speed of Solar wind is as high as 900 km/s.
- It is composed of plasma and generally contains protons, electrons, and alpha particles.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the Sun?
The largest object present in our solar system is the Sun; it is a hot glowing ball of Hydrogen and Helium.
What are Solar winds?
The flow of energised, charged particles at a very high speed is known as Solar wind.
What do you mean by Corona in the Sun?
The Corona layer is the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, and it lies above the Chromosphere.
What are Sunspots?
The dark spots on the surface of the Sun are known as Sunspots.
How many layers of the atmosphere are present in the Sun?
There are six layers of the atmosphere present in the Sun.
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