chromosphere

noun

chro·​mo·​sphere ˈkrō-mə-ˌsfir 

: the region of the atmosphere of a star (such as the sun) between the star's photosphere and its corona

chromospheric

ˌkrō-mə-ˈsfir-ik  -ˈsfer- 

adjective

Examples of chromosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studying the sun’s photosphere and chromosphere will allow researchers to examine how plasma flows and shifting magnetic fields interact to trigger surface eruptions. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025

This image shows the pink layer of the sun's chromosphere around the dark disk of the moon during totality. —Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Indeed, along the very edge of the disappearing sun at the start and end of totality, an arc of ruby red or fuchsia associated with the solar chromosphere appeared. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Eclipses are said to begin when the moon crosses the sun’s disk, its photosphere, but through an H-alpha telescope, the observer sees the chromosphere, so the eclipse always starts slightly earlier. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

chromo- + sphere entry 1

Note: Term introduced by the English astronomer J. Norman Lockyer (1836-1920) in "Spectroscopic Observations of the Sun. No. II…Read November 19 and 26, 1868," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, vol. 159 for the year 1869, p. 430.

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chromosphere

• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere
• hemisphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• mesosphere
• microsphere
• miserere
• mountaineer
• photosphere

Kids Definition

chromosphere

noun

chro·​mo·​sphere ˈkrō-mə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

: the part of the atmosphere of the sun or a star between the photosphere and corona