The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a groundbreaking mission called Proba-3, which aims to create an artificial solar eclipse and study the sun’s atmosphere, known as the corona. This technology demonstrates precise formation flying (PFF) capabilities, allowing for accurate positioning of satellites 150 meters apart.
For the first time ever, scientists will attempt to mimic the moon’s behavior by creating an artificial solar eclipse. The mission involves two spacecraft: the Coronagraph Spacecraft and the Occulter, which will use PFF technology to line up with the sun and cast a controlled shadow on each other.
The main goal of Proba-3 is to investigate the corona, a region significantly hotter than the sun itself. Scientists want to understand why this phenomenon occurs and its impact on space weather and geomagnetic storms. The corona can reach temperatures of 1-3 million degrees Celsius, while solar flares from this region can affect Earth’s magnetic field.
The Proba-3 mission will provide unprecedented insights into the corona, allowing researchers to study it for six hours in every orbital cycle. This achievement has significant implications for predicting space weather and mitigating its effects on satellites and systems on Earth.
By successfully completing this mission, scientists will gain a better understanding of the sun’s atmosphere and improve their ability to forecast extreme events. The Proba-3 mission marks an exciting milestone in space exploration and demonstrates the ESA’s commitment to advancing our knowledge of the universe.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/12/artificial-solar-eclipse-why-are-satellites-trying-to-block-the-sun