The structure of a solar-like star and a red giant. The two images are
not to scale - the scale is given in the lower right corner. It is
common to divide the Sun's (and solar-like stars') interior into three
distinct zones: The uppermost is the Convective Zone. It extends
downwards from the bottom of the photosphere to a depth of about 15% of
the radius of the Sun. Here the energy is mainly transported upwards by
(convection) streams of gas. The Radiative Zone is below the convection
zone and extends downwards to the core. Here energy is transported
outwards by radiation and not by convection. From the top of this zone
to the bottom, the density increases 100 times.
The core occupies the central region and its diameter is about 15% of
that of the entire star. Here the energy is produced by fusion
processes through which hydrogen nuclei are fused together to produce
helium nuclei. In the Sun, the temperature is around 14 million
degrees.
In red giants, the convection zone is much larger, encompassing more
than 35 times more mass than in the Sun.
Photoshop and Cinema 4D.
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