Unit 7: The Sun

Front

Sol

Back

The name of the star that the Earth orbits.

Front

The Core

Back

The very hot center of the Sun where nuclear fusion takes place.

Front

Radiation Zone

Back

A region of very tightly packed gas in the sun's interior where energy is transferred mainly in the form of light.

Front

Convection Zone

Back

Layer of the sun that transfers energy via the movement of hot gas up toward the surface and cooler gas down into the interior. Similar to the Earth's mantle.

Front

Photosphere

Back

The visible layer of the Sun. Kind of like the "surface" of the Sun. Commonly considered to be yellow, but is actually white.

Front

Chromosphere

Back

Kind of like the "atmosphere" of the Sun.

Front

Corona

Back

The outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere. It is very hot, and the reason why remains a mystery.

Front

Magnetosphere

Back

The region of space surrounding an astronomical object in which that object's magnetic field is significant.

Front

Sun Spot

Back

A dark area on the sun's surface that is colder than the rest of the surface.

Front

Active Region

Back

A temporary region in the Sun's atmosphere characterized by a strong and complex magnetic field.