In a stunning breakthrough for amateur astronomy, a dedicated trio has captured the first-ever documented photos of the sun's corona during a partial solar eclipse, challenging the long-held belief that such an observation was impossible.

These incredible images, taken from Quebec, Canada, during the March 29, 2025, eclipse, reveal the sun's outer atmosphere typically visible only during total eclipses. "The corona has never been captured during a partial eclipse before," said Mike Kentrianakis, a seasoned eclipse chaser from New York City.

Kentrianakis and fellow eclipse enthusiast Kevin Wood braved frigid temperatures of 14°F (-10°C) to observe the eclipse at sunrise from Les Escoumins, along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

"While we aimed to photograph the sun's ‘horns’ on either side of the moon's silhouette, we were astonished to find traces of the solar corona in our shots," Kentrianakis shared. The duo used various astronomy apps to plan their viewing.

This groundbreaking discovery has piqued the interest of scientists, including solar physicist Matt Penn, who asserts that this observation could pave the way for new studies of the corona.

Mastering the Art of Timing and Location

The location and timing were crucial for capturing the corona. As they filmed the sun rising, partially eclipsed, at 6:22 a.m. EDT, they inadvertently stumbled upon a rare phenomenon.

Most photographers missed this opportunity, but Kentrianakis and Wood’s precise positioning blocked the sun's brighter portions, allowing only the corona to emerge in view, a dazzling effect akin to a cosmic ring.

Unraveling the Mystery of the Corona

Previously thought to be visible only during total eclipses, the corona is a million times fainter than the usual sunlight—its visibility hampered by atmospheric conditions during the day. The capturing of the corona during this event was facilitated by perfect atmospheric conditions over the St. Lawrence River.

The eclipse began under an impressive 88% coverage, significantly dimming the sky and enhancing the visibility of the corona. Kentrianakis used a Canon M100 mirrorless camera, capturing countless shots with varying exposure settings to achieve this remarkable feat.

The Future of Eclipse Photography

This discovery opens doors for future observers to chase partial eclipses, especially at sunrise or sunset. Kentrianakis' success demonstrates that ordinary enthusiasts can engage in previously unimaginable astronomical observations.

Seaton hopes this enthusiasm will encourage others and notes plans for building coronagraphs enabling even more people to photograph the solar corona during future events.

What's Next?

Eclipse lovers looking for similar experiences can look forward to a 72% eclipsed sunrise from Antarctica on September 21, 2025, or a 70% eclipse in western Canada on January 14, 2029. Kentrianakis’ successful chase of the elusive corona serves as a thrilling reminder of the wonders yet to be discovered in the realm of astronomy. "Most people overlook partial eclipses, but I saw a unique opportunity and seized it!" he exclaimed.

Indeed, this remarkable find has not only advanced eclipse photography but has also ignited renewed passion for the mysteries of our universe.