THE STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF THE QUIET CORONA AS INFERRED FROM THE JULY 11, 1991 SOLAR ECLIPSE DATA

We were successful in observing the linear polarization of the solar corona in the white light and in the light of the green emission line 530.3 nm during the July 11, 1991 total solar eclipse (La Pat, Mexico). Preliminary analysis reveals remarkable differences in the degree of polarization for both sets of data, particularly for the distribution of polarization around the sun's limb. The upper theoretical limits of the degree of polarization are compared with our results. The real structure of the corona is compared with the calculated coronal magnetic field. The rather unusual shape and structure of the eclipse corona in a given phase of of the solar cycle are discussed in connection with a definition of coronal flattening.