Our Sun's corona changes considerably in shape as it cycles from
its 11 year solar minimum through to maximum activity phase and back.
At maximum the corona is reminicent of sunflower petals, evenly distributed around the sun.
The (red) chromosphere is ofen alive with prominence activity.

At solar minimum, the corona forms in just a few gracefully elongated streams.

Placing a mouse cursor over the image above will change the displayed
image from the 2023 Total Solar Eclipse, Exmouth, Western Australia to
the 2017 Eclipse, viewed from Jackson Hole in the USA.

The sun will be near solar maximum during the USA 2024 total solar eclipse.

Copyright Peter J Ward 2023