Total solar eclipses are a rare phenomenon that occur approximately 14 times every 18 years and 11 days somewhere on Earth. However, the European Space Agency (ESA) has now introduced the first images from two new satellites that function as an 'eclipse machine.'

The ESA Proba-3 mission, launched on a PSLV-XL rocket from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Dec. 5, 2024, has sent back its initial images that showcase a unique precision formation operation. This operation involves two satellites orbiting together, with one mimicking the moon to create an artificial solar eclipse in front of the other, which captures the sun's corona with a telescope.

The first images from the mission's successful formation flying demo on May 23 offer a glimpse of what's to come. These images reveal the sun's inner corona, a mysterious outer atmosphere that is significantly hotter than the sun's surface.

The Solar Corona

The solar corona, which is two million degrees Fahrenheit, is much hotter than the sun's surface. Scientists are eager to understand this phenomenon as the corona is where the solar wind originates. These images provide valuable insights into plasma physics and space weather.

Observations of the corona are crucial for studying solar wind and coronal mass ejections, which can impact Earth's systems. Proba-3's images will help solar physicists study features in the corona that are typically visible only during total solar eclipses.

Proba-3's First Images

In March, Proba-3's two spacecraft aligned with millimeter accuracy to capture the inner corona. The mission's precision formation flying allows for the creation of artificial eclipse images once every 19.6-hour orbit, providing a unique opportunity to study the corona.

Proba-3 will generate about 1,000 hours of corona images over its two-year mission, with data available for download. The satellites' elliptical orbit enables them to fly in formation with minimal propellant usage, showcasing remarkable precision in capturing the inner solar corona.

The First Artificial Solar Eclipse

While Proba-3 is not the first mission to attempt formation flying for coronal observations, it is the first to achieve it successfully. This breakthrough will allow for artificial solar eclipses, offering a new way to study the solar corona without waiting for natural eclipses.

Despite this technological advancement, eclipse chasers will still have plenty to look forward to in the future.

Source: Space