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The Sun
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Nuclear Fusion | a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy. |
Sunspot | a spot or patch appearing from time to time on the sun's surface, appearing dark by contrast with its surroundings. |
Solar Flare | a brief eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun's surface, associated with sunspots and causing electromagnetic disturbances on the earth, as with radio frequency communications and power line transmissions. |
Prominence | the state of being important or famous. |
Core | The central part of the star. This is where nuclear fusion takes place. |
Raditive Zone | The radiation zone or radiative zone is a layer of a star's interior where energy is primarily transported toward the exterior by means of radiative diffusion, rather than by convection. |
Convection Zone | The convection zone of a star is the range of radii in which energy is transported primarily by convection. In the radiation zone, energy is transported by radiation. |
Photosphere | the luminous surface of a star from which its light and heat radiate. |
Chromosome | Part of the sun's atmosphere above the Photosphere. It has a reddish glow. |
Corona | the rarefied gaseous envelope of the sun and other stars. The sun's corona is normally visible only during a total solar eclipse when it is seen as an irregularly shaped pearly glow surrounding the darkened disk of the moon. |