Proba-3 mission creates six-hour artificial eclipses for research purposes
- Proba-3 will see satellites create up to 50 artificial total solar eclipses annually.
- The mission allows scientists to study the solar corona in unprecedented detail.
- This innovative technology enhances observations, providing valuable data for solar research.
The European Space Agency is launching its Proba-3 mission to demonstrate advanced formation flying by two satellites. This mission aims to create artificial total solar eclipses lasting up to six hours, allowing for in-depth observations of the solar corona. Unlike natural solar eclipses, which can only last a few minutes, Proba-3 will provide around fifty opportunities each year to observe the corona under controlled conditions. This breakthrough is especially significant because studying the solar corona is challenging outside of a total solar eclipse, as the bright light from the sun obscures this region. The two satellites will fly in formation, with one eclipsing the sun to allow the other to study the corona. This innovative approach minimizes stray light and enhances observation quality, enabling scientists to gather data that closely resembles that collected during natural eclipses. The mission highlights advancements in space technology and underscores the collaboration of various European nations, including Belgium and Spain, in achieving scientific goals.