Astronomy Photo: The Sun
Sun
My Observations:
Taken: 21 July 2024 at 6:07 PM EST
Equipment: Unistellar Equinox2
General Information:
From our perspective on Earth, the Sun may seem like a constant, unchanging source of light and warmth in the sky. However, the Sun is actually a dynamic and ever-evolving star, continually emitting energy into space. The scientific study of the Sun and its impact on the solar system is known as heliophysics.
As the largest object in our solar system, the Sun boasts a diameter of approximately 865,000 miles (1.4 million kilometers). Its immense gravity is what binds the solar system together, maintaining the orbits of everything from the largest planets to the tiniest pieces of debris.
Despite being the focal point of our solar system and crucial for our existence, the Sun is merely an average star in terms of size. There are stars that are up to 100 times larger, and many other solar systems host multiple stars. By examining our Sun, scientists gain valuable insights into the functioning of distant stars.
The Sun’s core is its hottest region, with temperatures soaring above 27 million °F (15 million °C). The surface, known as the photosphere, is cooler in comparison, with temperatures around 10,000 °F (5,500 °C). Interestingly, one of the Sun’s great mysteries is its outer atmosphere, the corona, which becomes hotter with distance from the surface. The corona can reach temperatures up to 3.5 million °F (2 million °C), significantly hotter than the photosphere.[^ChatGPT summary of NASA Facts page]