Topic 10- Solar Astronomy

Hydrogen Alpha

The filter is attached to a telescope so the Sun's surface is more easily observable

The Core

• Its role is to produce the Sun's energy
• It has a temperature of 15 million Kelvin

The Radiative and Convective Zones

• Its role is to allow light and hear to pass through
• It has a temperature of 2 million - 6 thousand Kelvin

The Photosphere

• It is the visible surface of the Sun where sunspots are visible
• It has a temperature of 5800 Kelvin

The Chromosphere

• It is the pink rim that is visible during a solar eclipse
• It has a temperature of 4000 - 100,000 Kelvin

The Corona

• It is the outermost part that emits X-rays
• It has a temperature of 2 million Kelvin

Hydrogen and Helium

• The Sun is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium
• 600 million tonnes of hydrogen is converted into 596 million tonnes of helium…