Why the suns corona can be seen during an eclipse but not at other times?

Answer 1

The sun's corona is ordinarily not visible (from earth) because though the corona itself is extremely bright, the rest of the sun is even brighter. The sun creates so much light that it makes the corona invisible from earth. The corona however can be seen during a solar eclipse. If you are asking this question than hopefully you already know what a solar eclipse is. If you don' know, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from Earth. The reason you can see the corona is because the moon though it is much smaller than the sun, looks as if it takes up the the whole sun; that is how it looks like from Earth because of the relative distance between the moon, the sun, and Earth. Since the corona is the most faint layer of the sun, when the rest of the sun is no longer visible (as it is not in a solar eclipse) there is no brighter light that outshines the corona which makes the corona the only visible light coming from the moon and in turn making the corona visible. I do hope this explanation has answered your question and the ones you haven't even asked.

Answer 2

[Caution: Don't EVER look at a solar eclipse without special protection for your eyes. You could cause serious and/or permanent damage to your vision if you do.]

The Sun's corona is actually much dimmer than the Sun itself; we cannot see the corona against the glare of the Sun. Actually, you can see the solar corona at any time by use of a special telescope called a coronagraph. This blocks out the direct rays of the Sun, creating an artificial eclipse.

Answer 3

It can be seen at other times only through a specially designed instrument called a Corongraph. they used to have two of them, both with Mannlicher shoulder stocks, in the Franklin Institute in the Weather station area. Do not confuse with chronograph which is a form of timepiece.

Answer 4

During a solar eclipse, the moon only blocks out the main part of the sun. The corona is visible because the moon is not blocking it.

Answer 5

The main part of the sun is much brighter than the corona. Film, lens and CCDs do not have the dynamic range to process both. Its like thunder masking a thumb snapping.

Answer 6

Even a little solar light overpowers the glow of the corona, which is very hot, but also very thin.