How Do Astronomers Know What the Outer Layers of the Sun

question 16

Multiple Choice

How do astronomers know what the outer layers of the Sun are made of?

• A) we send graduate students there to get samples
• B) several spacecraft with good shielding have approached the Sun and obtained samples
• C) the surface layers of Mercury have been laid down by the Sun and are thus made of the same material as the Sun
• D) the Sun's wind gives us an accurate measure of all the different elements in the Sun
• E) we take an absorption line spectrum of the Sun, and the absorption lines tell us what elements are present in the outer layers

---

Definitions:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

A mental health disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that the individual feels driven to perform.

Panic Attack

A sudden onset of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.

Panic Disorder

A psychiatric disorder characterized by sudden, unexpected attacks of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms.

Cognitive Theory

A psychological approach that emphasizes the importance of thought processes in understanding behavior and mental states.