|| Starpath online classroom || Glossary || Glossary Index || Home ||

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

corona 1. A set of one or more rainbow-colored rings of small radii surrounding the sun, moon, or other source of light covered by a thin cloud veil. It is caused by diffraction of the light by tiny droplets in the atmosphere, and hence the colors are in the reverse order to those of a halo caused by refraction. 2. The luminous envelope surrounding the sun but visible only during a total eclipse. 3. A luminous discharge due to ionization of the air surrounding an electric conductor.

[close window]