The Chromosphere: The Sun’s Red Glow

The chromosphere is a thin layer above the photosphere, glowing with a reddish hue.
Its name means “color sphere,” first noted during total solar eclipses.
Temperatures rise dramatically here, from about 10,000°F to nearly 1 million°F.
The chromosphere is where spicules—jet-like bursts of plasma—shoot upward thousands of miles.
This layer plays a key role in transferring energy to the Sun’s outer corona.
Magnetic activity in the chromosphere drives solar flares and prominences.
It appears red because of strong hydrogen alpha light emissions.
Specialized telescopes with hydrogen-alpha filters let scientists observe its dynamic features.
The chromosphere is about 1,200 miles thick, much thinner than the corona.
Studying the chromosphere helps predict solar storms that affect Earth’s space environment.