3 replies to this topic

[Exeligmos]

In this thread, I had compared the 2017 and 2024 eclipses:

 

https://www.cloudyni...es-and-coronas/

 

However, there were some striking phenomenon and differences between the two eclipses that I'm still trying to comprehend. Three come to mind:

 

1. Differences in the quality of the corona. In 2017, it was ethereal, with a pearly yellow-green hue. In 2024, it was more of a flat ashen gray. I wonder if the difference in solar activity had an effect on this. Or was it a change in perception as I was seeing my second one?

 

2. The prominence of prominences (ha!). In 2017, I couldn't see anything besides a vague orange-pink smudge in the inner corona. In 2024, they were brilliant, hot-pink 'LED lights'. I figure the difference was due to increased activity, as there seemed to be no major differences in weather conditions during the two events

 

3. Warm hues at the onset of totality. In 2017, when I first beheld totality, the eclipsed sun seemed to bask in a broad golden glow. In 2024, there was a ruddy tinge on the glow in and around the eclipse that was not quite like that of 2017. However, these colors 'faded' as each eclipse progressed and seemed to be absent at C3 in both cases. I figure this 'coloration' was due to some phenomenon of perception as my brain was struggling to comprehend the scene.

 

Did anyone here notice any of these or anything else?

Edited by Exeligmos, 08 June 2024 - 09:48 PM.

[jrussell]

I only saw the 2017 as a partial so I can't really compare the two, but one of the things that most surprised me were the hot pink prominences. That was something that was totally unexpected.

[DrkNite]

#1 - The hue of the 2017 corona appeared similar to me as that of the 2024 eclipse. I did have an impression of a "hole in the sky" with the 2017 eclipse, that I did not experience with the 2024 eclipse. I attribute this to the 2017 eclipse being my first one.

#2 - The prominences were definitely better for the 2024 eclipse - we were able to see them naked eye, and at one point I counted 6 around the perimeter at one time when looking through the camera. For the 2017 eclipse, I only noticed a few when reviewing the small number of images I managed to get.

#3 - I was too focused on other things to really take note of any color differences in either eclipse. However, the moon was closer to us for the 2024 eclipse than the 2017 one, so that likely accounts for the color differences you noticed, and perhaps the other differences as well.

One thing that I experienced after the 2017 eclipse, was for a few days following it, I had a different perception of sunlight in general - it seemed to have a more ethereal quality to it. Not so with the 2024 eclipse. Again, I attribute this to the 2017 eclipse being my first.

[Exeligmos]

My impression of the scene at the onset of totality in 2017, with the golden glow:

 

 

I made this image soon after the eclipse.