ESA Satellites Create Artificial Eclipse in Space
Artificial eclipse in space: On June 16, the European Space Agency announced its Proba-3 satellites successfully created a simulated total solar eclipse in orbit, marking a major scientific breakthrough. This is the first orbiting precise formation flying mission, creating new opportunities for corona study and solar activity prediction.
How It Operates: Occulter and Coronagraph in Sync
For several hours, the satellites, called Coronagraph and Occulter, flew only 429 feet apart. In the absence of immediate instructions from Earth, they precisely lined up to mimic a complete eclipse. This made it possible for the onboard ASPIICS optical equipment to take high-resolution pictures of the solar corona.
“This was the first try, and it worked. It was so incredible,” said lead scientist Andrei Zhukov from the Royal Observatory of Belgium.
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Sun’s Atmosphere
The artificial eclipse allowed researchers to observe the sun’s outer atmosphere in ways previously only possible during rare natural eclipses. According to Jorge Amaya, ESA’s space weather modeling coordinator, Proba-3 can observe the corona nearly to the solar surface—a major leap beyond existing technology.
These observations help scientists study:
- Solar winds: streams of charged particles from the sun
- Coronal mass ejections (CMEs): solar eruptions that can impact Earth
- Space weather forecasting, critical for protecting satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
Proba-3’s Artificial Eclipses: 10 and Counting
So far, Proba-3 has created 10 artificial eclipses, with the longest lasting five hours. The mission’s success not only validates the ESA’s autonomous navigation technology but also delivers critical data for computer models simulating solar behavior.
“Current coronagraphs are no match for Proba-3,” Amaya added.
Why It Matters for Earth
The mission aims to help provide a comprehensive image of solar phenomena that directly impact Earth. From geomagnetic storms to space weather alerts, this research plays a vital role in public safety, aviation, and satellite protection.
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