10.7: Solar Regions
Astronomers identify four major regions within the sun.
- First there is the sun’s Core , the central region where nuclear fusion occurs. This is a very high temperature gaseous soup of charged particles called plasma at 15 million degrees.
- Next is the Radiative Zone , where energy generated in the core is carried by light that bounces from particle to particle through the Radiative Zone.
- Above the radiative zone is the Interface Layer , where it is thought the sun’s magnetic field is generated. This layer or zone lies between the Radiative and Convective Zones.
- The Convective Zone is the region in which energy is transported outward by convection; 70% of the sun’s radius. Convection occurs because heated fluids rise and cooler fluids fall. Convection is the area of the sun which shows rising heat – recall that heat rises and cold falls.