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Internal and surface structure of the Sun, illustration
Internal and surface structure of the Sun, cutaway illustration. At the Sun's core, hydrogen atoms undergo nuclear fusion, producing helium atoms and releasing heat and light energy as photons. These radiate outwards (yellow arrows) through the inner region (radiative zone) to the outer convection zone layer. Here, solar plasma rises in thermal columns to the visible surface (photosphere), creating convection cells (orange arrows) and granulation patterns (upper left) on the surface. Intense magnetic fields on the surface of the Sun inhibit convection, causing regions of lower temperature (sunspots, dark spots, some at upper left). Solar prominences are shown erupting from the Sun's surface.
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