What specific stellar layer is conventionally used to define the measurable 'surface' or radius of UY Scuti?
Answer
The photosphere
Stars, unlike planets, lack hard, defined physical boundaries. Instead, their measurable size is defined by an optical convention. This boundary is the photosphere, which is identified as the layer within the star's atmosphere where the gas composition transitions to a state that is opaque enough for light to cease scattering freely, thus making it optically visible to observers. Measurements like the $1,708 R_{\odot}$ or $1.19$ billion km radius refer specifically to this photosphere layer, which is the generally accepted demarcation point for size calculations.
Related Questions
If UY Scuti's radius were $1,708 R_{\odot}$, where might its photosphere extend in our solar system?What time results from calculating UY Scuti circumnavigation using the $909 R_{\odot}$ radius and $550$ MPH?What was the estimated time for UY Scuti circumnavigation using the TU-144 speed on the $4.634$ billion mile circumference?How much cooler is the surface temperature of UY Scuti compared to the Sun's $5,226^ ext{^
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