Exploring the Solar Eclipse: The Mystery of the Sun's Corona
School
University of Notre Dame**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PHYS 1101
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
1
Uploaded by JusticeFire5236
Eclipse Writing AssignmentOn Monday afternoon, my friends and I headed to Pease Park with plans to view thetotal solar eclipse. Excited and with our solar glasses in hand, we set camp on a patchy areaof grass perfect for viewing the eclipse. Since we got there early enough, we were able toview the partial eclipse in increments until complete totality was reached. My reaction atbeing able to witness a “once in a life-time event” was amazement and gratitude. However,my reaction changed to complete awe following totality when the sun’s corona was visibleand enhanced by the shadow of the moon. Being able to witness the bright ring around themoon was the highlight of my solar eclipse experience. I spent most of my time takingpictures of the beautiful view of the sun’s corona. All in all, I found the sun’s corona to bevery interesting and had a few questions regarding its importance. Although the view wasabsolutely stunning, I didn’t understand the significance of being able to see the sun’scorona or really why the whole event was so special to begin with. However, according to anarticle by Bella-Isaacs Thomas, scientists are really only able to closely study the sun’scorona during total solar eclipses. This, plus the fact that totality only lasts a few minutes,makes it even more difficult for the sun's corona to be analyzed by researchers. During totalsolar eclipses, the moon obscures the view of the sun very briefly and reveals the sun’scorona, giving off the effect of a halo around the moon. The total solar eclipse is the onlyway to view the sun’s corona because on a day to day basis, the sun’s surface is brighter (byalmost 1 million times!!) than the sun’s corona, so it’s impossible to view on a normal basis.Investigating the sun’s corona is fundamental to scientists because it’s a part of the sun’satmosphere and can have direct impacts on the Earth through weathering, possibly causingincreasing temperatures on Earth (Thomas, Bella-Isaacs).Thomas, Bella-Isaacs.Wikipedia,https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/why-these-scientists-fly-all-over-the-world-to-study-the-suns-corona-during-total-solar-eclipses. Accessed 05 April 2024.
