Twin Proba-3 spacecraft create artificial solar eclipse
Paris: First came Solar Orbiter, the European Space Agency and NASA mission that revealed the sun's poles for the first time in early June.
Then came Proba-3, less than a week later. It's another European mission, launched from India in December 2024, to observe the solar corona — the outer atmosphere of the sun.
To do that, Proba-3 achieved yet another first.
The mission consists of two spacecraft flying 150 metres (490 feet) apart. Together, they performed a millimeter-precision flying maneuver so that one cast a shadow over the other — creating an artificial solar eclipse.
It allowed Proba-3 to block out the fierce face of the sun, leaving only its surrounding corona in view. No other spacecraft has observed the sun's corona as close to the solar rim.
Why scientists are interested in the solar corona
Scientists are somewhat baffled by the solar corona, and there are relatively few opportunities to observe it in its entirety.
The solar corona has three distinct regions: the high corona, low corona and a gap in between. Though there are instruments to study the high corona and the low coronas, the gap is usually only possible to see from Earth during a natural solar eclipse.
Another mystery: The solar corona is much hotter than the sun at its surface.
Temperatures in the corona can reach higher than 1.1 million degrees Celsius (almost 2 million degrees Fahrenheit). The surface of the sun, however, rests at a cool 5,500 °C (around 10,000 °F). Perhaps stranger still, the sun's core is a blistering 15 million °C.
Astronomers think that because the solar corona is far from the surface — and reaches far into space — it should be cooler, not hotter.
Proba-3: A test of new space technology
Proba-3's two spacecraft — Occulter and Coronagraph — create artificial solar eclipses every 19 hours and 36 minutes in orbit and hold their precision flying formation for six hours.
Conventional telescopes would be blinded by the sun's light, unable to see the corona. But the Occulter blocks the light accurately. With a disc measuring just 1.4 metres (4.5 feet), it casts a mere eight centimetre (3.15-inch) wide shadow — enough to create an artificial eclipse.
"It is exciting to see these stunning images validate our technologies," said Dietmar Pilz, ESA director of technology, said in a press release on Monday.
They fly autonomously, using star trackers that help them recognise constellations and GPS for further positioning.
New ways of seeing the sun on the rise
Astronomers are quickly gaining new insights into the sun. In early June 2025, ESA and NASA released the first images of the solar poles as captured by the Solar Orbiter.
The Solar Orbiter uses a newly designed orbit to see the poles and gathers data on the sun's magnetic field, solar cycle and how solar weather works.
"The sun's poles are literally terra incognita," Sami Solanki, of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, said in an ESA press release on June 11.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to fly through the solar corona in 2021. The probe was built to face the sun's heat and radiation and deliver some of the closest observations of our star.
The Proba-3 mission also aims to improve scientific understanding of solar weather, such as coronal mass ejections and solar storms. Extreme solar weather can affect telecommunications satellites and power grids on Earth.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
NASA postpones Axiom Mission 4 launch, new date to be announced soon
Washington: NASA has postponed the planned launch of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS). The Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla-led mission was rescheduled for June 22 (Sunday). The ISS said on Friday morning that NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, and that it will target a new launch date in the coming days. "@NASA, @Axiom_Space, and @SpaceX continue reviewing launch opportunities for Axiom Mission 4. NASA is standing down from a launch on Sunday, June 22, and will target a new launch date in the coming days," the ISS wrote in a post on X. According to the ISS, additional time is needed to evaluate station operations following recent repair work in the aft segment of the Zvezda service module. Due to the highly interconnected nature of the orbital laboratory's systems, NASA is reviewing relevant data to ensure readiness for the arrival of additional crew members. Highlighting the global significance of the mission, ISS noted that the agencies "appreciate the historic nature of this mission for the nations of India, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the world." The four-member crew remains in quarantine in Florida and is prepared to launch once the station is cleared to receive them. Axiom Mission 4 will be commanded by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and now Axiom Space's Director of Human Spaceflight. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from ISRO will serve as the mission's pilot. The mission specialists are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft remain in good condition and are stationed at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Earlier, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the Axiom-4 space mission -- which includes Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla -- will not launch before June 22, as safety assessments are still underway before clearing the final launch timeline. "We have been told that it won't be before 22nd June. There is a safety angle also involved here," Singh said at a press conference. Following the rescheduling, Axiom Space had said in a statement earlier that NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX were targeting no earlier than Sunday, June 22, for the launch. The change allows NASA time to continue evaluating station operations after recent repairs in the Zvezda service module. In a post on X, Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed the updated launch timeline, writing: "Axiom Mission 04 to the International Space Station (ISS)... After assessing key parameters, including module fitness, crew health, and weather, @Axiom_Space has indicated that June 22, 2025, may be the next likely launch date of Axiom-04 Mission carrying, among others, the Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, to the ISS." He added that further updates would be shared accordingly. On the 11th anniversary of the Modi government, Singh also highlighted the socio-economic impact of administrative reforms over the past decade. "The administrative reforms that happened in the last 11 years were not limited to governance. They had extreme socio-economic ramifications," he said. He emphasized the push toward digital governance aimed at enhancing ease of living for common citizens, and noted that reforms created a more automated system that helped the government achieve key milestones. "During the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, not only has governance improved but also had significant socio-economic consequences," Singh said. He added that schemes and reforms were aimed at ensuring justice for marginalised groups.
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Omanis begin scientific journey to NASA
TEXAS: The Omani teams shortlisted for the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 have commenced their scientific visit to the United States with a tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The exchange programme is organised by the US Embassy in Oman in collaboration with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The visit began with the Omani team exploring Space Center Houston, one of the premier scientific destinations in the US. The team toured the Independence Plaza, home to a full-scale replica of the NASA space shuttle mounted atop the historic shuttle carrier aircraft and examined exhibition halls featuring original spacecraft, including the Apollo 17 command module. Dr Fatima al Harthy, team leader, stated that the visit to Johnson Space Center provided the team with a unique opportunity to engage with NASA's storied history and ambitious future. She emphasised that such experiences not only inspire participants but also foster a culture of scientific innovation among Omani youth. The team comprises distinguished students from several Omani educational institutions, including the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, the Military Technological College and the German University of Technology in Oman. This visit reflects a forward-looking vision to empower Omani youth by exposing them to global experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It also strengthens Oman's presence in international scientific forums, aligning with the nation's ongoing efforts to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy. — ONA
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Omani teams start trip to NASA Space Apps Hackathon
Texas: The Omani teams shortlisted for the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 have commenced their scientific visit to the United States with a tour of NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. This exchange programme is organised by the U.S. Embassy in Oman in collaboration with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. The visit began with the Omani team exploring Space Center Houston, one of the premier scientific destinations in the U.S. The team toured the Independence Plaza, home to a full-scale replica of the NASA space shuttle mounted atop the historic shuttle carrier aircraft, and examined exhibition halls featuring original spacecraft, including the Apollo 17 command module. The team gained insights into daily life aboard the International Space Station through interactive exhibits before attending a cinematic screening titled The Moonwalkers, which documents the history of Apollo missions and connects them to the Artemis programme. The tour also included a visit to the historic Apollo Mission Control Center, where the team entered the restored control room that guided the first human moon landing. Additionally, the team explored Mars exhibits, engaged in virtual reality experiences, and learned about the evolution of spacesuits. Dr. Fatima Nasser Al-Harthy, team leader, stated that the visit to Johnson Space Center provided the team with a unique opportunity to engage with NASA's storied history and ambitious future. She emphasized that such experiences not only inspire participants but also foster a culture of scientific innovation among Omani youth. The team comprises distinguished students from several Omani educational institutions, including the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, the Military Technological College, and the German University of Technology in Oman. This visit reflects a forward-looking vision to empower Omani youth by exposing them to global experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It also strengthens Oman's presence in international scientific forums, aligning with the nation's ongoing efforts to build a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy. -ONA
