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Europe’s Spacecraft Duo to Create Artificial Solar Eclipses

 A pair of European satellites launched into orbit on Thursday, embarking on a groundbreaking mission to create artificial solar eclipses. This innovative technique involves precise formation flying, allowing for extended periods of observing the sun's corona.



Once operational next year, the satellites will separate and maintain a precise distance of 150 meters, aligning themselves with the sun. One satellite will cast a shadow on the other, mimicking a natural solar eclipse but lasting a significantly longer duration of six hours.



This extended observation time will enable scientists to delve deeper into the mysteries of the sun's corona, particularly its extreme heat and the mechanics of coronal mass ejections. These eruptions can disrupt Earth's power grids and communication systems, highlighting the importance of solar research.



The mission, known as Proba-3, is a technological feat requiring meticulous control and precision. The satellites will utilize GPS, star trackers, lasers, and radio links to maintain their formation, ensuring that the shadow-casting satellite blocks the sun's light from the observing satellite's telescope.



With a projected lifespan of two years, Proba-3 aims to accumulate over 1,000 hours of eclipse data. This groundbreaking mission will provide invaluable insights into solar physics and advance our understanding of space weather.

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