WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Astro Minute: The Mystery of the Sun's Corona

Episode Date: March 7, 2024

This year's total solar eclipse will offer a nearly unparalleled opportunity to observe the sun's mysterious atmosphere. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Welcome to the Astro Minute, where we're exploring the universe 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and today we're looking for the sun's elusive corona. The sun's outer atmosphere, called its corona, is mysterious. Why is it so hot at over 2 million degrees Fahrenheit? What energizes that powerful solar wind? Normally the corona is hidden from us by the sun's surface brightness. But during a total solar eclipse, our moon perfectly blocks the sun's light, allowing us to see the corona for just a few minutes.

The total solar eclipse of April 8th, 2024, will give us a comparably long look at the sun during a time of peak solar activity. So with all the enthusiasm of Sherlock Holmes with his magnifying glass, thousands of scientists and volunteer detectives will peer through ground, air, and space-based lenses to gather clues,

seeking to unravel the mystery of the corona. That's your Astro Minute.