The Sun

The Sun
The Sun is a star, and is the closest star to the Earth.
The Sun contains 99.85% of the mass in the solar system. The other
0.15% of the mass in the solar system makes up everything else:
planets, asteroids, and us.

It is made of mostly hydrogen and helium.

The Sun orbits around the center of our galaxy called the Milky Way.

The Sun: statistics

Mass: 1.989 x 1030 kg = 333,000 Earths

Visual diameter: 1.392 x 106 km = 109 Earths
Luminosity: 3.827 x 1026 watts
Rotation period: 25 days
Mean light travel time to Earth: 8.32 min
Mean temperatures: Surface: 9,980 F
Center: 27,899,540 F
Composition: 71.5% hydrogen, 8.6% helium, 0.1% other elements
Distance from center of galaxy: 26,000 ly
Orbital period: 230 million years
Orbital speed: 137 mi/s

The Sun: atmosphere

The Sun has no surface. There is no liquids or solids in the Sun. As you
get deeper into the Sun there is only denser gasses.
The Sun appears to have a surface because most of its visible light
comes from one specific gas layer called the photosphere.

We consider the atmosphere to have three layers to it: photosphere,

chromosphere, and the corona.

Sun spots
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere that
appear as dark spots.
They occur due to changes in the magnetic field in that area, and
result in reduced surface temperature compared to the surrounding
photosphere.
The number of sunspots varies according to the approximately 11year solar cycle.

Sun spots

Solar flare
Solar flares release vast amounts of high-energy particles, X rays, and
ultraviolet radiation.
Solar flares occur around Sun spot groups, and are due to the collision
of sun spots. The interacting between magnetic fields funnel hot
gases rapidly away from the Sun.
During the maximum of the Sun spot cycle about 1100 flares occur be
year. These flares can last from a few seconds to hours.

Solar flare

The Suns Interior

The Suns core

In the core of the Sun is where thermonuclear fusion occurs. This is
the only part of the Sun that is hot enough for fusion to occur.
In the core hydrogen is fused together making helium. This process
also releases a huge amount of energy.
Its this energy that keeps a star from collapsing due to its own
gravity.
The temperature in the core is about 27,899,540 F

Radiative zone
The radiative zone is the largest part of the Sun starting from the core
to about 70% of the way out.
In this zone photons carry energy from one particle to another due to
collisions.

Convection zone
In the convection zone energy is transported through convection.
Blobs of hot gas move toward the surface, as it cools it moves back
down. This process repeats and is an example of convection. (Like a
lava lamp)

Photosphere
This at the top of the convection zone and is about 300 km thick. The
energy from the core gets here then is shot out into space as
photons.
This light from the photosphere is what see as the Suns surface.

Chromosphere
Transparent layer of mostly hydrogen gas above the photosphere and
is about 2000 km thick.
The chromosphere and corona can be seen during a solar eclipse.

Corona
The corona also made of transparent gas like the chromosphere.
The corona extends outward into space for millions of kilometers.
And can be observed during a total solar eclipse.

Observing the Sun

Observing the sun directly with the eye or telescope is very
dangerous. It is so bright looking at the Sun can cause permanent
damage to the eye.
We have special solar filters to view the Sun safely.

Also using lenses and mirrors to project an image of the Sun on a

screen is another way to view it safely.