Facts About Sun Surface Features

Photosphere

• The photosphere of the sun is a mass of gas. The photosphere has different levels of depth around the sun. The photosphere's temperature can range anywhere from about 4000 Kelvin to 6000 Kelvin. When seen, the photosphere may appear to have constant motion. This is due to its makeup of gas cells which are also known as granules. These cells are alive for, on average, about eight minutes. The constant flow of cells during their short life gives the look of motion to the observer.

Solar Wind

• The flow of particles from the sun outward is known as the solar wind. The solar wind moves at about 400 kilometers a second. It may also be responsible for the famous northern lights and geomagnetic storms. These storms have been known to cause trouble with power grids on earth.

Sun Spots

• Darker spots that may appear on the photosphere of the sun are usually known as sunspots. These spots are areas of the sun that are less warm than some others. This difference in temperature can cause them to appear darker than the area around them. The sunspots are made up of two different portions, umbra and penumbra. The umbra is usually the darker area and the penumbra is the lighter area.

Solar Flares

• A sudden release of magnetic energy on the surface of the sun is called a solar flare. They usually occur around sunspots with explosions happening as much as several times daily and as little as a few times a week. The flares that are smaller in size are usually seen more often than the larger variety.

Chromosphere

• The chromosphere of the sun can be seen to have a red appearance. It is best seen during a total eclipse of the sun without the use of a telescope. The chromosphere can have a temperature of up to almost 20,000 Kelvin. If the chromosphere of the sun is looked at through a telescope, spicules of gas may be seen. These spicules can look like spikes.

Plages

• Structures that may appear above sun spots are known as plages. They are often the result of a higher temperature within a region located inside the chromosphere. The plages can be almost cloud-like when they are observed and can be seen for days at a time.

Granulations

• Columns of gases that are hot can also be seen in the photosphere of the sun. These are known as granulations. They can be observed for minutes at a time. The gases in granulations can move upwards many kilometers in a second. After the gases have cooled to a lower temperature, they travel back to the bottom of the granulation.