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Chapter 16: Problem 19

What is solar granulation? Describe how convection gives rise to granules.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Solar granulation is a pattern on the Sun's photosphere resulting from the movement of plasma due to convection from the layer beneath it, the convective zone. Granules are formed when hot, less dense plasma rises to the photosphere, cools, and then, being denser, sinks back into the convective zone.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Solar Granulation

Solar granulation refers to a pattern observed on the photosphere, or the outermost layer of the Sun, when viewed at high resolution. These patterns resemble rice grains, and thus, are referred to as granules. Each granule is around 1,000 km in diameter with a lifespan of about 8 to 20 minutes.
02

Understanding Convection

The mechanism behind this pattern is known as convection. Convection is the process through which heat travels in a fluid (such as plasma in the Sun) when hotter (and usually less dense) material rises, while colder (usually denser) material sinks.
03

Linking Convection and Solar Granulation

The granules on the Sun's photosphere are an indication of convective energy from the layer beneath it, known as the convective zone. When hot plasma from the convective zone rises to the photosphere, it releases its energy and cools. As it cools, it becomes denser and sinks back to the convective zone, thereby forming the specific granulation pattern.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast \({ }^{\mathrm{TM}}\) program to measure the Sun's rotation. Display the entire celestial sphere by selecting Guides \(>\) Atlas in the Favourites menu and center on the Sun by doubleclicking on Sun in the Find pane. Using the controls at the right-hand end of the toolbar, zoom in until you can see details on the Sun's surface clearly. In the toolbar, set the Time Flow Rate to 1 day. Using the time forward and backward buttons in the toolbar, step through enough time to determine the rotation period of the Sun. Which part of the actual Sun's surface rotates at the rate shown in Stamy Night Enthusiast 'M? (Note: The program does not show the Sun's differential rotation.)

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