How Deeply Can We See Into the Sun?

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The depth to which we can see into the Sun varies based on the line of sight and the properties of the plasma. We observe light emitted from low-density plasma, which behaves differently than fog, as it emits rather than scatters light. Wavelength plays a crucial role in visibility, as the photon mean free path, which dictates how far photons travel before being scattered or absorbed, is wavelength-dependent. The combination of mean free path and plasma density determines the optical depth we can achieve. Understanding these factors is essential for studying solar phenomena.
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How deeply into the Sun can we see?
What are we actually seeing?
Is wavelength related to how much we can see into the sun?
 
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blumfeld0 said:
How deeply into the Sun can we see?

Varies with the line of sight.
What are we actually seeing?

Light emitted from a low density plasma, kinda like the opposite of trying to see through fog over a great distance (since the plasma is emitting, rather than scattering and blocking the light)

Is wavelength related to how much we can see into the sun?

Yes, because the photon mean free path (how far photons travel before being scattered or absorbed) is wavelength dependent, and it is the product of the mean free path and density that determine how 'deep' we can see optically.
 
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