Transition region

Definition

The transition region is a thin, irregular layer of the Sun's atmosphere located between the chromosphere and the corona. It is characterized by a rapid temperature increase from tens of thousands to millions of degrees Kelvin.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The transition region is only a few hundred kilometers thick.
2. Temperatures in the transition region can rise from around 20,000 K to nearly 1,000,000 K.
3. It plays a crucial role in heating the solar corona.
4. The transition region emits ultraviolet radiation due to its high temperatures.
5. Dynamic phenomena such as spicules and prominences often extend into this region.

Review Questions

• What is the approximate thickness of the transition region?
• How does the temperature change as you move through the transition region?
• Why is the transition region important for understanding solar corona heating?

Related terms

chromosphere: A layer of the Sun's atmosphere located just above the photosphere and below the transition region, characterized by its reddish glow.

corona: The outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space and visible during solar eclipses.

spicules: Small, jet-like eruptions in the chromosphere that can extend through the transition region into the lower corona.