What characterizes the chromosphere?

The chromosphere is characterized as a thin layer of incandescent gases situated above the photosphere, which is the visible surface of the sun. This layer plays a significant role in solar phenomena, such as solar flares and prominences. The gases in the chromosphere are primarily hydrogen, but they are not dense; instead, they are thin and possess a pinkish-red color due to the emission of hydrogen alpha light.

In terms of its position, the chromosphere lies above the photosphere but beneath the corona, which is the sun's outer atmosphere. The temperature in the chromosphere increases with altitude, which contributes to its behavior and interactions with solar activity. Overall, the chromosphere is essential for studying solar events and helps astronomers understand the sun's atmosphere and dynamics better.