A magnetic resonance (MR) body coil is provided with a supporting surface for support on an object to be examined and an outer side remote from the support side, wherein at least one light source is fastened to the outer side at a predefined position. A magnetic resonance system has at least one MR body coil and an image acquisition device for acquiring light, which may be radiated by the at least one light source of the at least one MR body coil. A method is used for operating a MR body coil, wherein at least one light source radiates light for positioning the MR body coil. A further method is used for positioning a MR body coil on an object to be examined, wherein at least one light source fastened to a MR body coil radiates light, the light is acquired by an image acquisition device, which includes at least one camera, and at least one position of the at least one light source is determined by the acquisition.