Explanation: This total solar eclipse was both visually stunning and scientifically fascinating. The Sun’s corona usually appears pearly white, but observers in Spain reported an unusually golden solar corona during last week’s eclipse. One reason was the timing: totality occurred near sunset, when sunlight travels through a much greater thickness of Earth’s atmosphere. As explained by atmospheric light scattering, the longer path removes more blue light and allows warmer red and gold tones to dominate. Smoke from nearby wildfires may have acted as an additional filter, scattering even more of the remaining blue light and intensifying the eclipse’s golden appearance. This HDR-processed, multiple-exposure featured image was captured in Benavente, Spain. The hydrogen-alpha prominence above the Sun’s left edge was the exception: it retained its original vivid pink color, creating a striking contrast with the golden corona.
Gallery: Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026
Tomorrow’s photos: Fast meteor
Source: science.nasa.gov