European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in space

Two European satellites were launched on December 5, 2024, to create artificial solar eclipses in space. This $210 million mission, called Proba-3, aims to enhance solar research by allowing scientists to study the sun's corona for extended periods. The satellites will orbit Earth in formation, with one casting a shadow on the other to mimic a natural eclipse. This setup will enable observations lasting up to six hours, significantly longer than natural eclipses. Proba-3 will generate hundreds of artificial eclipses over its two-year mission. The first scientific data is expected by March 2025, following initial system checks.