Astronomy › Section K · The Sun › Topic K.1
Structure and composition of the Sun
The Sun is the only star close enough to study in fine detail, so almost everything we know about stars starts here. Its layers, from the hidden core to the million-degree corona, each do a different job, and together they explain the light that reaches us.
In this topic
- An ordinary star, seen up close
- What the Sun is made of
- Worked example: density and surface gravity
- The layers beneath the surface
- The photosphere: the visible surface
- Granulation
- The chromosphere and a new element
- The corona and its heating puzzle
- The solar wind
- Worked example: how much mass does the wind carry off?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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