ESA's Proba-3 created first artificial solar eclipse

The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission has successfully created the first artificial solar eclipse in orbit, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This innovative technology uses two coordinated satellites to replicate a natural solar eclipse, allowing for prolonged and detailed observations of the sun's corona, which is impossible with natural eclipses. The system can generate eclipses every 19.6 hours, lasting up to six hours. The mission's success relies on unprecedented formation flying, with the satellites maintaining a precise distance. This allows scientists to study solar phenomena like the solar wind and coronal mass ejections, which can impact Earth's technology.