A total eclipse gives researchers an opportunity to examine aspects of the sun's atmosphere that would normally be overpowered by intense sunlight. While the moon is centered on the sun, the solar corona can be examined in greater detail by astronomers. For example, the Southwest Research Institute noted, "The corona is millions of degrees Celsius, hundreds of times hotter than the visible surface below, a curious paradox that is a longstanding scientific mystery." Coronal mass ejections can also be seen, large raspberry-colored plasma structures, in some of the photos above. CMEs can affect Earth's weather patterns (and enhance auroras).
