chromosphere

views updated May 29 2018

chro·mo·sphere / ˈkrōməˌsfi(ə)r/ • n. Astron. a reddish gaseous layer immediately above the photosphere of the sun or another star. Together with the corona, it constitutes the star's outer atmosphere.DERIVATIVES: chro·mo·spher·ic / ˌkrōməˈsfi(ə)rik; -ˈsferik/ adj.

chromosphere

views updated May 17 2018

chromosphere Layer of the Sun's atmosphere between the photosphere and the corona. It is c.10,000km (6000mi) thick and is briefly visible near the beginning and end of a total solar eclipse as a spiky red rim around the Moon's disk. At its base the temperature of the chromosphere is c.4000K, rising to 100,000K at the top.