photosphere
noun
pho·to·sphere
ˈfō-tə-ˌsfir 
1
: a sphere of light or radiance
2
: the luminous surface layer of the sun or a star
Examples of photosphere in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Four payloads for studying the sun will gaze at the star’s photosphere, its layer visible to us; the chromosphere, a thin layer of plasma on top of the photosphere; and the corona, the outermost layer of the sun that starts about 1,300 miles above the photosphere.
—
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
Despite their great temperatures, dwarf stars can and do harbor water molecules in their own atmospheres – their photospheres.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2023
The photosphere appears black at these wavelengths, because that region is not nearly hot enough to shine brightly in extreme ultraviolet.
—Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2013
That material came from the planet itself, which likely passed through the star’s outer photosphere before falling to its demise.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2023
The plume created shocks and pulsations that triggered an eruption, peeling off a chunk of the star’s outer shell called the photosphere.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022
These Texas-size granules cover nearly the entire photosphere.
—Brian T. Jacobs, National Geographic, 24 Aug. 2021
The image on the right, acquired at the same time, is a kind of magnetic map of the photosphere.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2014
Like water boiling in a pot, plasma cells, or granules, carry heat to the sun’s glowing and visible surface, the photosphere.
—Brian T. Jacobs, National Geographic, 24 Aug. 2021
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Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
Despite their great temperatures, dwarf stars can and do harbor water molecules in their own atmospheres – their photospheres.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2023
The photosphere appears black at these wavelengths, because that region is not nearly hot enough to shine brightly in extreme ultraviolet.
—Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2013
That material came from the planet itself, which likely passed through the star’s outer photosphere before falling to its demise.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2023
The plume created shocks and pulsations that triggered an eruption, peeling off a chunk of the star’s outer shell called the photosphere.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022
These Texas-size granules cover nearly the entire photosphere.
—Brian T. Jacobs, National Geographic, 24 Aug. 2021
The image on the right, acquired at the same time, is a kind of magnetic map of the photosphere.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2014
Like water boiling in a pot, plasma cells, or granules, carry heat to the sun’s glowing and visible surface, the photosphere.
—Brian T. Jacobs, National Geographic, 24 Aug. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'photosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near photosphere
Cite this Entry
“Photosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photosphere. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on photosphere
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about photosphere
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