Polarization of the Corona Observed During the 2017 and 2019 Total Solar Eclipses

TL;DR

This study presents polarimetric observations of the solar corona during the 2017 and 2019 total solar eclipses, analyzing brightness and polarization to compare with other data and understand coronal structure.

Contribution

It provides detailed polarimetric measurements of the corona during two eclipses, isolating K- and F-corona components and comparing results with previous observations.

Findings

Significant scatter in comparison with other observations.

Good coincidence with some datasets, systematic discrepancies with others.

Successful separation of K- and F-corona polarizations.

Abstract

We carried out polarimetric observations of the white-light corona during the total solar eclipses that occurred on 2017 August 21 and 2019 July 2, and successfully obtained data at two different sites for both eclipses. After eliminating the sky background, we derived the brightness, polarization brightness, and degree of the polarization of the K+F corona from just above the limb to approximately 4 $R_\odot$. Furthermore, we isolated the K- and F-corona with plausible degree of polarization of the K-corona. The field of view covering up to approximately 4 $R_\odot$ enabled us to compare the derived brightness and polarization with a wide range of other observations. The results of the comparison show significant scatter; while some of the observations present very good coincidence with our results, the other ones exhibit systematic discrepancy.