In a historic partnership, Indian and European Space Agencies are set to launch Proba-3, a mission aiming to revolutionize solar observation by casting an artificial eclipse in space.
Bengaluru, NFAPost: In a groundbreaking collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA), the Proba-3 mission is poised to redefine our understanding of the Sun. Faced with the challenge of the Sun’s blinding photosphere hindering in-depth study, scientists have conceived an innovative solution – an artificial solar eclipse created in space.
Scheduled for launch later this year from ISRO’s reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Proba-3 is the world’s first precision formation flying mission dedicated to blocking the Sun’s intense light. Comprising an “Occulter” spacecraft flying in front and a “Coronagraph” spacecraft behind, the mission aims to capture unprecedented images of the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere shrouded by the photosphere.
Astrophysicist Russell Howard expresses the uniqueness of the mission concept, emphasizing the potential to observe the faint corona for hours, a significant leap from the brief minutes afforded by natural solar eclipses. The Occulter, acting as a mini-Moon, will cast a precise shadow onto the Coronagraph, enabling detailed observations of solar phenomena such as storms and solar wind.
Proba-3’s scientific payload includes the Digital Absolute Radiometer (DARA), which measures the Sun’s total irradiance. This data is crucial for understanding the Sun’s energy output and its impact on Earth’s climate. Scientists hope to gain insights into coronal mass ejections, and massive solar eruptions that pose threats to various technologies, including satellites, airplanes, and power grids.
Facing the challenge of testing Proba-3 on Earth, the team plans to observe the upcoming solar eclipse over North America in April 2024. Using the same filter wheels developed for Proba-3, they aim to gather valuable data and anticipate the mission’s potential outcomes.
Scheduled for launch in September 2024, Proba-3 signifies the dawn of a new era in solar observation, where international collaboration takes centre stage in unlocking the Sun’s secrets and advancing our understanding of space.