... During a total solar eclipse, the Sun's extensive outer atmosphere, or corona, is an inspirational sight. ... What is known is that charges slowly separate in some clouds causing rapid electrical discharges (lightning), but how electrical charges get separated in clouds remains a topic of much research. ... Makemake, a god in Easter Island mythology, may have smiled for a moment as clouds parted long enough to reveal this glimpse of July 11's total solar eclipse to skygazers. ... July 2012 . ...