383-sun-anatomy-cutaway-dixon– This detailed cross-sectional illustration reveals the internal structure and dynamic atmosphere of the Sun. The cutaway exposes the core as a brilliant, high-pressure central source where nuclear fusion occurs, surrounded by the radiative zone and the outer convective zone marked by churning plasma columns. The textured green-gold photosphere shows sunspots and a prominent solar flare on the limb, while the entire star is enveloped by an expansive, streaming solar wind and corona composed of intricate magnetic field lines reaching out into deep space. - digital painting © by Don Dixon for Scientific American
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