Evershed effect


Evershed effect

(ev -er-shed) A radial flow of material in the penumbra of a sunspot, outward from the edge of the umbra, with a velocity of about 2 km s–1. It forms part of a pattern of circulation determined by the configuration of the intense localized magnetic field. The gas ascends at or just beyond the outer edge of the penumbra, doubles back on itself in the chromosphere, and then descends into the umbra (for the cycle to be repeated).

Evershed effect

[′ev·ər‚shed i‚fekt] (astronomy) A displacement of spectral lines of sunspots near the sun's limb, caused by outward motion of gases from the center of the sunspot.