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August 10, 2009

Convection Zone

A computer model developed by researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and other institutions simulates convection patterns in the deep interior of the sun in unprecedented detail. In this image, turbulent areas beneath the solar surface seethe with vorticity. The model simulates spinning columns, sheets and rings of plasma scattered throughout the convection zone.

NCAR is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other federal agencies to provide facilities and support for a wide range of studies in the atmospheric and related sciences. NCAR is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a nonprofit consortium of universities that grants Ph.D.s in fields related to atmospheric science. UCAR's primary function is managing NCAR. To learn more, visit the NCAR website, Here.

Credit: ©University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Illustration by Mark Miesch

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