Michael JensenThe Surface of the Sun
May 6th 2009 11:26
Today, while doing a little research for my essay, I found out a little about the sun. You may know this already, but if not, you will probably find it quite fascinating.
If you look a a picture of the sun, it looks as if it is a gaseous object, almost like you could swim right through it. But what you are actually seeing the photosphere. The visible part of the photosphere is a liquid like plasma layer made of neon, with penumbral filaments running several hundred kilometers deep. Below this, there is a denser layer atmospheric layer made of silicon plasma. It is this silicon plasma that covers the actual surface layer of the sun.
I know that all the technical stuff, like neon plasma, penumbral filaments, etc. is really confusing. And honestly, I don't understand it all. I just give the details so that someone who does know what they mean can have a more enriching read. But for everyone who doesn't, I am sure you will still find it fascinating to find that the sun is actually a solid surface underneath all that gas.
For pictures and more info, visit: www.thesurfaceofthesun.com
If you look a a picture of the sun, it looks as if it is a gaseous object, almost like you could swim right through it. But what you are actually seeing the photosphere. The visible part of the photosphere is a liquid like plasma layer made of neon, with penumbral filaments running several hundred kilometers deep. Below this, there is a denser layer atmospheric layer made of silicon plasma. It is this silicon plasma that covers the actual surface layer of the sun.
I know that all the technical stuff, like neon plasma, penumbral filaments, etc. is really confusing. And honestly, I don't understand it all. I just give the details so that someone who does know what they mean can have a more enriching read. But for everyone who doesn't, I am sure you will still find it fascinating to find that the sun is actually a solid surface underneath all that gas.
For pictures and more info, visit: www.thesurfaceofthesun.com
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