Aug. 12 eclipse photos reveal 'smoke rings' and a giant coronal hole in the sun's atmosphere

Researchers with the University of Hawaii-led Solar Wind Sherpas project released images of the solar corona taken during the Aug. 12 total eclipse from Pico Trigaza in Spain. They show twisted 'smoke ring' vortices and a large coronal hole venting solar wind at up to 800 km/s.

• Images were captured on Aug. 12 from Pico Trigaza in Spain
• Solar wind from the coronal hole reaches speeds up to 800 km/s
• Smoke rings were first spotted in 2008 eclipse photos
• Coronal holes can persist for weeks or months