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Briefly describe the three layers that make up the Sun's atmosphere. In what ways do they differ from each other?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The three layers of the Sun's atmosphere are the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. The photosphere is the outer shell from which light is radiated and is characterized by granulation. The chromosphere is above the photosphere and is characterized by gas eruptions, and is usually only visible during a solar eclipse. The corona is the outermost layer, extending into space, and is seen as an aura of plasma surrounding the sun also usually only visible during a total solar eclipse.

Step by step solution

01

Identification of the Three Layers

Identify the three layers of the Sun's atmosphere. These are: The photosphere, the chromosphere, and the corona.
02

Describing the Photosphere

Describe the photosphere. This layer is the sun's outer shell from which light is radiated. It's what we see when we look at the sun directly. The photosphere is known for its granulation caused by the convective motions below it.
03

Describing the Chromosphere

Describe the chromosphere. It's the layer above the photosphere and is usually only visible during a solar eclipse, when it appears as a reddish ring. The chromosphere is characterized by eruptions of gas, known as spicules.
04

Describing the Corona

Describe the corona. It's the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space. It is most commonly seen during a total solar eclipse, when it's seen as an aura of plasma surrounding the sun.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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