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Interior of Sun
The Sun. Computer graphic of the Sun, showing its internal layered structure. The Sun is a massive nuclear fusion reactor. The core (white) has a temperature of at least 14 million degrees Celsius where hydrogen atoms fuse into helium to release heat and light energy. This energy radiates out (lined layer) to form a turbulent layer. At the surface (red) is the photosphere about 300 kilo- metres thick. The photosphere is affected by magnetic fields, producing phenomena like sunspots (cool areas, black); solar prominences (eruptions of charged particles); and solar wind. Its constant output of energy means that the Sun loses about 4 million tons of mass each second.
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