Astronomers have formed their ideas about the layers of the sun primarily by using theoretical models combined with known data. This approach allows them to integrate observations, such as those from solar radiation and solar oscillations, with theoretical physics to gain insights into the sun's structure and behavior. While observations during total solar eclipses and direct observations contribute to our understanding, the comprehensive models developed over time are central to explaining the sun's layers.
How have astronomers formed their ideas about the layers of the sun?(1 point) Responses developing mathematical models based only on known data developing mathematical models based only on known data observing all the layers during total solar eclipses observing all the layers during total solar eclipses using theoretical models combined with known data using theoretical models combined with known data making direct observations of the sun's layers
5 answers
One way the scientists can use temperature to identify which layer they are studying is by noting that the highest temperatures are from the corona. The corona, which is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, has temperatures that can exceed a million degrees Celsius, significantly higher than those of the inner layers. In contrast, the core has the highest temperatures, followed by the radiative zone and then the convective zone, with the photosphere being the coolest layer. Therefore, identifying the maximum temperature as characteristic of the corona can help them determine which layer they are observing.
The origin of the sun’s energy is nuclear fusion. In the core of the sun, hydrogen nuclei fuse together under extreme pressure and temperature to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. This energy is what powers the sun and provides light and heat to the solar system.