chromosphere Astron.
(ˈkrəʊməsfɪə(r))
[f. chromo- 2 + sphere.
The form of this word has been objected to in favour of chromatosphere. But although the latter shows the usual Greek type of compounds from ns. in -µα, -µατ-, the shortened form was also used: see e.g. the compounds in σπερµο- for σπερµατο-, also those in ὑδρο- not ὑδατο-.]
The red gaseous envelope round the sun, outside the photosphere.
stellar chromosphere: the gaseous envelope supposed to exist round a star.
| 1868 Lockyer in Phil. Trans. 19 Nov. CLIX. 430 The continuity of this envelope, which I propose to name the Chromosphere, a name suggested by Dr. Sharpey. 1869 Roscoe Elem. Chem. 288 Hydrogen is found..surrounding the luminous portions of the sun's body as a zone of incandescent gas, termed the solar chromosphere. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. xxi. 367 Above the luminous photosphere is another envelope known as the chromosphere. 1879 Newcomb & Holden Astron. 304 The chromosphere or sierra. |