APOD: 2026 August 17 – A Golden Corona Eclipse

NASA Science reports that observers in Spain witnessed an unusually golden corona during last week's total solar eclipse—quite different from the typical pearly white. The sun was setting as totality occurred, so sunlight passed through a thicker layer of atmosphere that scattered blue light. Smoke from nearby forest fires acted as an additional filter, deepening the golden tones. A bright pink hydrogen-glowing prominence remained visible along the Sun's edge.

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