The Sun
The Sun
All the Sun's layers
The Core
Is the central region where nuclear reactions consume hydrogen to form helium. These reactions release the energy that ultimately leaves the surface as visible light. These reactions are highly sensitive to temperature and density.
The Radiative Zone
Is the section of the solar interior between the innermost core and the outer convective zone. In the radiative zone, energy generated by nuclear fusion in the core moves outward as electromagnetic radiation. In other words, the energy is conveyed by photons.
The Convective Zone
It extends from a depth of 200,000 km up to the visible surface of the Sun. Energy is transported by convection in this region. The surface of the convection zone is where light (photons) is created. This top layer is called the photosphere
Photosphere
Is the visible surface of the Sun that we are most familiar with. Since the Sun is a ball of gas, this is not a solid surface but is actually a layer about 100 km thick (very, very, thin compared to the 700,000 km radius of the Sun)
Cromosphere
At other times, light from the cromosphere is usually too weak to be seen against the brighter photosphere. The third layer of the sun's atmosphere is the corona. It can only be seen during a total solar eclipse as well.
Corona
A corona (Latin, 'crown') is an aura of plasma that surrounds the sun and other celestial bodies. The sun's corona extends millions of kilometres into space and is most easily seen during a total solar eclipse, but it is also observable with a coronagraph.
Sunspots
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They correspond to concentrations of magnetic field flux that inhibit convection and result in reduced surface temperature compared to the surrounding photosphere.
Prominence
A solar prominence (also known as a filament when viewed against the solar disk) is a large, bright feature extending outward from the Sun's surface. Prominences are anchored to the sun's surface in the photosphere, and extend outwards into the Sun's hot outer atmosphere, called the corona.
A Flare
Sometimes a sudden, rapid, and intense variation in brightness is seen on the Sun. That is a Solar Flare. A solar flare occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the solar atmosphere is suddenly released. On the sun's surface are huge magnetic loops called prominences.
Auroras
An Aurora, sometimes referred to as a polar light, is a natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in the high latitude (Arctic and Antarctic) regions.
Cites I Used
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora
www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/.../3-what-is-solar-flare.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/News022411-monsterprom.html#.Vmca-tIrKig
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunspot
I used Google Images for all of my pictures