Coronograph

/ˈkɔːrənəɡrɑːf/ noun

Definition

An astronomical instrument that blocks the bright disk of the sun to observe its fainter outer atmosphere called the corona.

Etymology

From corona (Latin for 'crown') + -graph (Greek graphein, 'to write/record'). Coined in the early 20th century to describe devices that photograph the sun's corona during eclipses.

Kelly Says

The coronograph was invented to solve a huge problem: the sun is so bright that you normally can't see its delicate outer atmosphere! It's like putting on special sunglasses that let astronomers peek at the sun's halo without getting blinded.

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