| The solar corona, only visible during a total eclipse, is seen here as a 'crown' of white flares emerging from the sun's surface on Monday, August 21, 2017. This image was captured aboard a NASA Gulfstream III aircraft flying 25,000 feet above the Oregon coast. Aboard a different Gulfstream jet, flying 50,000 feet above Kentucky, was the NSF-funded team attempting to capture the corona's infrared emissions for the first time. The appearance of red spots, called Bailey's beads, in this photo occurs when sunlight shines through the craters and valleys of the lunar surface. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Thomas) |
