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Psyguy22
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In basic, why can we only see the corona sphere during a solar eclipse? Is there a property to the eclipse or sun that causes this?
During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's bright surface. This allows us to see the much dimmer corona, which is the outer atmosphere of the sun. The corona is only visible during a total solar eclipse when the moon blocks out all of the sun's direct light.
The corona is made up of extremely hot, ionized gases, mainly hydrogen and helium. These gases are heated to temperatures of over 1 million degrees Celsius by the sun's intense radiation.
The corona extends millions of kilometers into space from the surface of the sun. However, it is much less dense than the sun's surface, so it appears much larger when viewed from Earth during a solar eclipse.
Yes, the corona can be observed using specialized instruments during a solar eclipse, or with a coronagraph, which blocks out the sun's bright surface. However, these methods are necessary because the corona is typically too faint to be seen with the naked eye.
Studying the corona can provide valuable information about the sun's magnetic field and activity. It can also help us better understand the processes that occur in the sun's outer atmosphere, which can have impacts on Earth's space weather. Additionally, studying the corona can provide insights into other stars and their atmospheres.