The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission is pioneering the study of the solar corona by creating artificial solar eclipses using two satellites. One satellite blocks the Sun's light, allowing the other to capture detailed images of the corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere, which is hotter than the solar surface. This innovative approach provides scientists with extended observation periods, crucial for understanding solar phenomena like solar wind and coronal mass ejections that affect space weather.
So far, Proba-3 has conducted ten successful artificial eclipses, with the longest lasting five hours. The mission aims to achieve a six-hour eclipse, providing unprecedented opportunities to study the corona's mysteries. The satellites' precision positioning is achieved through advanced technologies like GPS navigation and laser systems.
Data collected from these eclipses will improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth, such as geomagnetic storms and the disruption of communication systems. The mission, involving 14 ESA member states, continues to build on advances from previous solar observation missions, promising to enhance our knowledge of the Sun's complex behavior.
