This project involves observations of the near infrared solar corona both prior to and during the total solar eclipse of 11 July 1991, in an attempt to understand the relative contributions of electron scattering, dust scattering and dust thermal emission near the Sun. The observations will be carried out in collaboration with scientists at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii. Instrumentation for this effort is currently being developed at the Institute by team members, and features a system utilizing coronagraph techniques, designed to allow measurements to be made outside the period of total eclipse. Dr. MacQueen is an expert on coronagraphs, and this information is likely to lead to a better understanding of the interplanetary medium.
