To an astronomer, "atmosphere" describes a gaseous region surrounding a planet or star. On Earth the atmosphere begins at our feet and extends many miles up, trailing away into outer space. Although the Sun doesn’t have a solid surface like the Earth, astronomers describe the Sun's atmosphere as the region in the outer parts of the Sun where light begins to escape. Atmosphere can also mean the feelings or moods found in a room or inspired by a piece of art. To the composer, this piano piece draws on all of these definitions.
