MCQ Detailed View

The Sun is made up of several layers, each with its own unique function and importance. While the core produces energy through nuclear fusion, and the outer layers control radiation and solar activity, only one specific layer is visible to us from Earth with the naked eye.

This visible layer is called the Photosphere. The word "photosphere" literally means "sphere of light," and it is the surface from which the Sun’s light and heat are radiated into space. When we look at the Sun (with proper protection), what we actually see is the photosphere, not the core or deeper layers.

Key Facts about the Photosphere:

• Thickness: About 500 kilometers


• Temperature: Around 5,500°C


• Appearance: Bright yellow-white surface with dark sunspots


• Role: Emits the sunlight that reaches Earth and supports life

Other Layers of the Sun:

• Core: Produces energy through nuclear fusion


• Chromosphere: A thin layer above the photosphere, visible only during a solar eclipse


• Corona: Outermost layer, also visible during an eclipse as a glowing halo

Fun Fact: The dark spots sometimes seen on the photosphere are called sunspots, which are cooler areas caused by magnetic activity on the Sun’s surface.

Understanding the photosphere is important in astronomy, as it helps scientists study solar activity, sunspots, and their effects on Earth’s climate and communication systems.