The layer of the sun that corresponds to the solar surface viewed in white light or the region from which light escapes from the sun into space.
2. The intensely bright gaseous outer layer of a star, especially the sun.Sunspots and faculae are both features of the photosphere. The faculae are groups of small shining spots on the surface of the sun which are brighter than the other parts of the photosphere.
The photosphere is the layer of the Sun that corresponds to the solar surface viewed in white light or the region from which light escapes from the Sun into space.
The photosphere is often marked by large, dark patches called "sunspots" and "faculae". The faculae are groups of small shining spots on the surface of the Sun which are brighter than the other parts of the photosphere.
About 300 kilometers, or 200 miles deep, the photosphere consist of incandescent gas at a temperature of 5,800 Kelvin (5,530° Celsius or 9,980° Fahrenheit).
Kelvin is the basic unit of thermodynamic temperature adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites.
Rising cells of hot gas produce a mottling of the photosphere known as granulation and each granule is about 1,000 kilometers or 620 miles in diameter.