The \u00a0vital advantage of Proba-3\u00a0 is its ability to generate these artificial eclipses for up to \u00a0six hours\u00a0 during each 19.6-hour orbit. In contrast, a natural solar eclipse occurs only a couple of times a year and lasts just a few minutes. This continuous observation capability opens a \u00a0new window\u00a0 for unraveling some of the Sun’s secrets.<\/p>\n
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Spain’s Role in Proba-3<\/strong>. The mission, costing \u20ac200 million, involves the participation of \u00a029 companies from 14 different countries\u00a0, with Spain playing a significant role. Spain contributed \u00a040% of the budget\u00a0 and key technologies through \u00a0Sener\u00a0, \u00a0GMV\u00a0 (which is responsible for the software and flight algorithms), and \u00a0Airbus Defence and Space\u00a0 in Spain. This collaboration highlights Spain’s expanding influence in \u00a0space technology\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two Synced Satellites<\/strong>. The mission consists of two spacecraft: the \u00a0Occulter\u00a0 and the \u00a0Coronagraph\u00a0. In March, they achieved what no previous mission has done: autonomously flying \u00a0exactly 150 meters apart\u00a0, maintaining this formation with \u00a0millimeter precision\u00a0 for hours. To put this in perspective, it is akin to two cars on a \u00a0highway\u00a0 maintaining a fixed distance with the precision of a \u00a0human fingernail\u00a0, all while in an elliptical orbit extending up to \u00a060,000 km from Earth\u00a0. As they fly in this perfect formation, they align with the Sun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What We Are Seeing in These Photos<\/strong>. To capture these images, the \u00a0Occulter\u00a0, equipped with a \u00a01.4-meter diameter disk\u00a0, blocks the Sun’s direct light, projecting a shadow of only \u00a08 centimeters\u00a0 onto the optical instrument of the second satellite, the \u00a0Coronagraph\u00a0. When the \u00a05 cm opening\u00a0 of its telescope (known as \u00a0ASPIICS\u00a0) is covered by this tiny shadow, it can photograph the \u00a0solar corona\u00a0 without being dazzled. This process is similar to what occurs during a total solar eclipse, but allows for observing the Sun’s atmosphere for \u00a0hours\u00a0.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Purpose of Tailored Eclipses<\/strong>. Understanding solar mysteries drives our interest in these eclipses. The first question is why the solar corona (which reaches temperatures of \u00a0one million degrees Celsius\u00a0) is much hotter than the Sun’s surface (which is around \u00a05,500 \u00b0C\u00a0). This phenomenon, known as thermal inversion, is one of \u00a0astrophysics’ greatest puzzles\u00a0, and Proba-3’s close observation capabilities will provide crucial data to address this enigma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The second mystery revolves around the formation of solar storms that pose threats to our technology. The corona serves as the cradle for \u00a0solar wind\u00a0 and \u00a0coronal mass ejections\u00a0, massive bursts of particles the Sun expels into space. While these events contribute to beautiful \u00a0auroras\u00a0, they can also wreak havoc on satellites, transformers, and other electrical devices on Earth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Resounding Success<\/strong>. The success of Proba-3 lies not just in the scientific images produced, but also in demonstrating that \u00a0precision formation flying\u00a0 is indeed possible. This success paves the way for future missions that could feature \u00a0giant virtual telescopes\u00a0, composed of multiple spacecraft working as one. The next milestone is to achieve \u00a0total autonomy\u00a0, allowing the system to operate with such confidence that it will need no routine monitoring from Earth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Images | ESA<\/p>\n In Xataka | We have two hours to protect the electrical grid from an extreme solar storm. The May auroras proved this.<\/p>\n![\"Primer](\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Europe-has-successfully-created-its-first-artificial-eclipse-with-the.png\")
\n ![\"Primer](\"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Europe-has-successfully-created-its-first-artificial-eclipse-with-the.png\"\/)
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