The Solar Interior

Schematic view of the inner structure of the Sun Image courtesy of NASA Click on image for full size and a more detailed image of the interior of the Sun(238K GIF)

To understand how our Sun works, it helps to imagine that the inside of the Sun is made up of different layers, one inside the other. The center of the Sun is called the core. It is the region where the energy of the Sun is produced. We know that the Sun produces energy because we feel hot on a summer day.

The Sun's energy travels outwards from the core. The energy travels first through the radiative zone, where particles of light carry the energy. It takes millions of years for the energy to move to the next layer, the convection zone.

At the convection zone, energy travels faster. This time it is the motion of the gases in the Sun that moves the energy outwards. The gas at this layer mixes and bubbles, like the motion in a pot of boiling water.This bubbling effect is seen on the surface of the Sun.

We can't see inside the Sun. So scientists use other diagnostics. These diagnostics help us know what is inside the Sun.

Schematic view of the inner structure of the Sun Image courtesy of NASA Click on image for full size and a more detailed image of the interior of the Sun(238K GIF)

To understand how our Sun works, it helps to imagine that the inside of the Sun is made up of different layers, one inside the other. The core, or the center of the Sun, is the region where the energy of the Sun is produced. Even on Earth we know that the Sun produces energy because we see sunlight and we feel hot on a summer day.

The Sun's energy, which is produced in the core, travels outwards. The energy travels first through the radiative zone, where particles of light (photons) carry the energy. It actually takes millions of years for a photon to move to the next layer, the convection zone.

At the convection zone, energy is transferred more rapidly. This time it is the motion of the gases in the Sun that transfers the energy outwards. The gas at this layer mixes and bubbles, like the motion in a pot of boiling water.This bubbling effect is seen on the surface of the Sun, and is called granulation.

We can't see inside the Sun. So scientists use other diagnostics. These diagnostics help us know what is inside the Sun.

Schematic view of the inner structure of the Sun Image courtesy of NASA Click on image for full size and a more detailed image of the interior of the Sun(238K GIF)

To understand how our Sun works, it helps to imagine that the interior of the Sun is made up of different layers, one inside the other. The innermost layer, the solar core, is the region where the energy of the Sun is produced. This energy travels through the next layer of the solar interior, called the radiation zone, and eventually reaches the convection zone, where energy is transferred mainly by the overturning of solar gases. This convection produces an everchanging pattern of cells on the surface of the sun.

Direct observations inside the Sun are not possible, however some diagnostics exist that allow us to study the Sun's interior.