How is the boundary known as the photosphere accurately described?

Answer

A layer where plasma density drops, allowing photons to travel before scattering

The photosphere is not a rigid, hard surface like a planetary crust. Instead, its visible edge is an optical illusion created by density changes within the plasma. The photosphere is scientifically defined as the layer where the density of the plasma decreases sufficiently that photons, which are the particles of visible light, can escape the star without immediately being scattered back. This scattering effect gives the appearance of a defined surface, analogous to how the boundary of a cloud appears fluffy and definite even though it is composed of individual, dispersed water molecules. This layer is exceptionally thin relative to the Sun's total size.

How is the boundary known as the photosphere accurately described?

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