Sun's Atmosphere - Corona and Chromosphere

NCAR's High Altitude Observatory (corona) and Luc Viatour (chromosphere)

This pair of photos shows the two main parts of the Sun's atmosphere as seen during a total solar eclipse. The photo on the left shows the corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere. The image on the right shows the chromosphere, the Sun's lower atmosphere. The corona image was taken during an eclipse on February 16, 1980 as viewed from India. The chromosphere photo was taken during an eclipse in France on August 11, 1999.