### European Satellites Create Groundbreaking Artificial Solar Eclipses In a remarkable feat of engineering and space exploration, two European satellites have successfully created artificial solar eclipses as part of a mission to study the sun's corona. This innovative approach allows scientists to observe the sun's outer atmosphere in unprecedented detail, simulating the conditions of a total solar eclipse without the need for a natural occurrence. The satellites, launched late last year, have been operational since March, providing valuable data for solar research [https://www.masslive.com/weather/2025/06/a-fake-solar-eclipse-european-satellites-photograph-eclipse-making-mission.html][https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/18/artificial-solar-eclipses-created-by-two-european-satellites]. ### Understanding the Mission and Its Structure 1. **Mission Overview**: The European Space Agency (ESA) launched two satellites, which have been designed to fly in precise formation to create artificial solar eclipses. This formation allows for controlled observations of the sun's corona, which is typically difficult to study due to its brightness. 2. **Technical Execution**: The satellites utilize advanced technology to simulate the conditions of a total solar eclipse. By positioning themselves in a specific alignment, they can block sunlight and create a shadow effect, mimicking a natural eclipse [https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2025/06/17/europe-space-first-artifical-solar-eclipse-proba/2291750164689][https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-06-16/how-two-satellites-are-mimicking-total-solar-eclipses-in-space]. 3. **Scientific Goals**: The primary aim of this mission is to gather data on the sun's corona, which is crucial for understanding solar activity and its impact on space weather. The artificial eclipses provide scientists with hours of on-demand totality, allowing for detailed observations [https://www.usnews.com/news/news/articles/2025-06-16/how-two-satellites-are-mimicking-total-solar-eclipses-in-space][https://apnews.com/article/artificial-solar-eclipse-esa-474fe13392398e247f3ba501bf4fe191]. ### Evidence and Data Supporting the Mission - **Satellite Launch**: The satellites were launched in late 2024 and have been operational since March 2025, successfully creating artificial eclipses [https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/06/18/artificial-solar-eclipses-created-by-two-european-satellites]. - **Observation Duration**: The satellites can provide extended periods of totality, which is essential for capturing detailed images and data of the corona [https://www.space.com/stargazing/solar-eclipses/behold-1st-images-of-artificial-solar-eclipse-captured-by-esas-proba-3-mission]. - **Scientific Impact**: The data collected from these artificial eclipses is expected to enhance our understanding of solar phenomena and improve predictions related to space weather, which can affect satellite operations and communications on Earth [https://www.manufacturing.net/aerospace/news/22943538/satellites-create-artificial-solar-eclipses-in-space]. ### Conclusion: A New Era in Solar Research The successful creation of artificial solar eclipses by European satellites marks a significant advancement in solar research. 1. **Innovative Technology**: The use of precise formation flying to simulate eclipses opens new avenues for studying the sun's corona. 2. **Enhanced Observations**: This mission allows for extended observation periods, providing scientists with critical data that was previously difficult to obtain. 3. **Future Implications**: The insights gained from this mission could lead to better understanding and forecasting of solar activity, ultimately benefiting various technologies reliant on space weather [https://www.masslive.com/weather/2025/06/a-fake-solar-eclipse-european-satellites-photograph-eclipse-making-mission.html][https://www.apnews.com/article/artificial-solar-eclipse-esa-474fe13392398e247f3ba501bf4fe191].