What is the sun's corona and how can it be captured in a photograph?

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In summary, the sun's corona is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, composed of extremely hot plasma and visible during a total solar eclipse. It can reach temperatures over 1 million degrees Celsius and is primarily caused by the sun's magnetic field. While not dangerous to us on Earth, it can affect astronauts and satellites in space. The corona also plays a crucial role in Earth's climate and weather patterns, causing disruptions in the magnetic field and impacting satellite communications and power grids.
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I took a picture of the sun on a cloudy day with 2 layers of red cellophane on a normal camera, and edited it on the computer. There is some bright stuff around the sun in the middle. Can this possibly be the corona? :eek:
 

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Unlikely. It's probably the clouds and the plastic making it look that way. This is the Sun's corona:

487px-Solar_eclipse_1999_4_NR.jpg


Note that you typically need an eclipse to be able to image it. Either that or specialized equipment like a coronagraph.
 

1. What is the sun's corona?

The sun's corona is the outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space. It is composed of extremely hot plasma (ionized gases) and is only visible to the naked eye during a total solar eclipse.

2. How hot is the sun's corona?

The temperature of the sun's corona can reach over 1 million degrees Celsius. This is significantly hotter than the surface of the sun, which is only around 5,500 degrees Celsius.

3. What causes the sun's corona?

The sun's corona is primarily caused by the sun's magnetic field. The intense magnetic activity of the sun creates loops and arcs of hot plasma that make up the corona. Solar flares and sunspots also contribute to the corona's formation.

4. Is the sun's corona dangerous?

The sun's corona is not dangerous to us on Earth. The Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field protect us from the intense heat and radiation of the corona. However, astronauts and satellites in space can be affected by the corona's activity.

5. How does the sun's corona impact Earth?

The sun's corona plays a crucial role in Earth's climate and weather patterns. Solar winds from the corona can cause disruptions in Earth's magnetic field, leading to phenomena such as auroras. The corona's energy also heats up the Earth's upper atmosphere and can affect satellite communications and power grids.

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