APOD: 2026 August 17 - A Golden Corona Eclipse - NASA Science
APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional. . .
APODAstronomy Picture of the DayDiscover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. Explanation:This total solar eclipse appeared not only poetically beautiful but scientifically interesting. Usually thesolar coronaappears white, and to some observers the corona of last week's total solar eclipse did appearthis pearly color. But this time, totality observers in Spain saw a corona that appeared unusually golden. For one reason, fromSpain, the totality occurred when the setting Sun was near the horizon. That low, sunlight travels through a large amount ofair which scattersout blue light. An unusual amount ofsmoke in the airfrom nearbyforest firesacted as a second filter,further scatteringthe remaining blue tones and deepening the already gold-dominatedlight. TheHDR-processed, multiple-exposurefeatured imagewas captured fromBenavente,Spainlast week. One thing that did not appear golden was ahydrogen-glowingprominencethat hovered over theSun's left edge -- its originalbright pinkcolor survived. Gallery:Solar Eclipse of 2026 August 12Tomorrow's picture:fast meteorsDate:August 17, 2026Credit & Copyright:Rui Santos(Living Impressions)Authors & editors:Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley RockcliffeA service of:ASDatNASA/GSFC,NASA Science Activation&Michigan Tech. U.