Observers in Spain watched a total solar eclipse last week. When the Moon covers the Sun entirely, a pale ring of light appears around the dark disc. This time the ring glowed gold instead of white. Crowds gathered on hillsides to watch. The Sun sat low in the sky, so its light travelled through a long path of air. Air scatters blue light and lets warmer colours pass.
Smoke from forest fires nearby added a second filter to the atmosphere. It removed still more blue light and deepened the golden tone. One bright spot near the edge kept its pink colour throughout. That glow came from hot gas rising just above the surface of the Sun. Astronomers used the images to study the outer layers of our star. Photographers waited years for a combination of haze, angle and timing like this.