A resident takes a photograph of the solar corona in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province May 24, 2006. The sun is surrounded by a seven-colour ring for several hours, which attracts lots of locals.

The Corona is the sun's outer atmosphere. It is visible during total eclipses of the Sun as a pearly white crown surrounding the Sun. The corona displays a variety of features including streamers, plumes, and loops.

The solar corona is seen in this picture taken on May 24, 2005 in Qingdao.

(Xinhua News Agency May 25, 2006)