Chromosphere

Credit: Hinode JAXA/NASA/PPARC

This image of the solar 'chromosphere' was obtained on 12 January 2007 by the Hinode solar observatory. The image reveals the filamentary nature of the plasma (gas of charged particles) connecting regions of different magnetic polarity.

The chromosphere is a thin 'layer' of solar atmosphere 'sandwiched' between the sun's visible surface (or photosphere) and its outer atmosphere (or corona). The chromosphere is the source of ultra violet radiation.

Before such images were obtained, scientists thought the chromosphere was a motionless 'layer', but Hinode showed that this description is obsolete. The satellite reveals a chromosphere that appears as constantly moving field lines like grassland with tall grass swaying under the wind.

The Hinode mission, known as 'Solar-B' before launch, is led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and involves institutes in the United States (coordinated by NASA), and in the United Kingdom (coordinated by PPARC).