Twin satellites in ESA’s Proba-3 mission have achieved a remarkable feat – they have successfully recreated artificial solar eclipses from space. This breakthrough is a major step in solar science and is expected to offer rare insights into the sun’s million-degree corona.
The Proba-3 mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to study the sun’s outer atmosphere, also known as the corona. This region is of great interest to scientists as it is much hotter than the sun’s surface, with temperatures reaching millions of degrees. However, due to the sun’s intense brightness, it is difficult to observe the corona directly. This is where the Proba-3 mission comes in.
The mission consists of two satellites, named Proba-3/ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun) and Proba-3/CPA (Coronagraphic and Polarimetric Analyzer). These satellites work in tandem to create artificial solar eclipses, allowing for continuous observations of the sun’s corona.
The Proba-3/ASPIICS satellite is equipped with a coronagraph, which is a special instrument that blocks out the sun’s bright disk, allowing the fainter corona to be observed. The Proba-3/CPA satellite, on the other hand, carries a polarimeter, which measures the polarization of light from the corona. This information is crucial in understanding the magnetic fields that drive the corona’s activity.
Together, these satellites create an artificial eclipse by positioning themselves in a precise formation, with one satellite blocking out the sun’s disk while the other observes the corona. This mimics the natural phenomenon of a solar eclipse, where the moon blocks out the sun’s disk and allows the corona to be seen.
The first successful artificial eclipse was created on September 21, 2021, during a test run of the Proba-3 mission. The satellites were able to block out the sun’s disk and observe the corona for a period of 6 hours, providing continuous data that would have been impossible to obtain with a natural eclipse on Earth.
This is a significant achievement for solar science as it allows for continuous observations of the sun’s corona, something that has never been done before. Natural eclipses on Earth only last for a few minutes, limiting the amount of data that can be collected. With the Proba-3 mission, scientists will have access to a wealth of information about the corona, which will help in understanding the processes that drive the sun’s activity.
One of the main goals of the Proba-3 mission is to study the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that flows from the sun and affects the Earth’s magnetic field. By studying the corona, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of how the solar wind is generated and how it affects our planet. This information is crucial for space weather forecasting, which is essential for the safety of astronauts and satellites in orbit.
Moreover, the Proba-3 mission will also provide valuable insights into the sun’s magnetic field, which plays a crucial role in the formation of sunspots and solar flares. These events can have a significant impact on Earth, causing disruptions in satellite communications and power grids. By studying the corona, scientists will be able to better predict and prepare for these events.
The success of the Proba-3 mission marks a major milestone in solar science. It is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the scientists and engineers involved in the project. The mission has been in development for over a decade and has faced numerous challenges, but the team’s perseverance has paid off with this groundbreaking achievement.
The Proba-3 mission is expected to continue for the next few years, providing valuable data and insights into the sun’s corona. It is a shining example of international collaboration, with contributions from various countries, including Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
In conclusion, the successful recreation of artificial solar eclipses by the twin satellites in ESA’s Proba-3 mission is a major breakthrough in solar science. It will allow for continuous observations of the sun’s corona, providing rare insights that natural eclipses on Earth cannot offer. This mission marks a significant step forward in our understanding of the sun and its impact on our planet. With the Proba
