Page 84 - BBC Sky at Night Beginners Guide to Astronomy - 2017 UK

SIGHTS ON

THE SUN

YOU’LL NEED A FILTER TO VIEW THE SUN SAFELY
AND SEE THE INCREDIBLE ACTIVITY ON OUR
NEAREST STAR. HERE’S WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

❮ SUNSPOTS
These features usually appear
in pairs and are caused by
magnetism, which draws
away energy. Their resulting
lower temperature makes
these regions appear dark.

LIMB DARKENING
The photosphere is translucent, so when
you look at its centre you’re peering deep
into the hotter, brighter part. This is why it
appears lighter than it does at the edges.

PHOTOSPHERE
The light from the Sun
is given off here. Its
temperature is around
6,000ºC and it is home
to sunspots.

❮ PROMINENCES
These are concentrations of
PETE LAWRENCE X 4, SDO/NASA that move up from the
gas, associated with sunspots,
chromosphere. In just an hour,
active prominences can shoot
to heights of 750,000km.

84 skyatnightmagazine.com 2012