ESA launches Proba-3 mission to create artificial solar eclipses in space

A pair of satellites from the European Space Agency (ESA) launched on December 5, 2024, will create artificial solar eclipses in space. This mission, called Proba-3, allows one satellite to block the sun for the other, enabling detailed study of the sun's corona. The satellites will fly 144 meters apart with high precision, creating eclipses that last up to six hours. This setup will help scientists observe the corona's dynamics, which are difficult to study with traditional methods due to limitations in existing technology. Proba-3 aims to produce over 1,000 eclipses during its two-year mission. The innovative formation flying could also benefit future space missions by linking multiple telescopes to enhance observational capabilities.