1. Sep 9, 2015 #1

   Hornbein

   

   The sun has no surface, but it appears to have a surface. I may recall that Feynman said that the apparent diameter is equal to the mean free path of a photon. That could be, but I don't get the relationship. Any help?

    

   Hornbein, Sep 9, 2015
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3. Sep 9, 2015 #2

   Andy Resnick

   

   Science Advisor

   Education Advisor

   Insights Author

   Do you mean the photosphere?
   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosphere
   
   If so, you've mangled Feynman's idea a bit.

    

   Andy Resnick, Sep 9, 2015
4. Sep 10, 2015 #3

   Drakkith

   

   Staff Emeritus

   Science Advisor

   Perhaps what Feynman meant is that the 'surface' is defined as the region where the mean free path of photons becomes large enough for most of them to leave the Sun without being absorbed?

    

   Drakkith, Sep 10, 2015

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