On 12 August 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. The Moon will briefly cover the Sun's bright surface.
Image credit: European Space AgencyNatural eclipses briefly reveal the solar corona, the origin of space weather. Solar storms can disrupt power grids, satellite networks, and critical technology on Earth.
Image credit: European Space AgencyESA created Proba-3, a pair of satellites flying 150 metres apart. One satellite blocks the Sun so the other can photograph the inner corona for hours.
Image credit: European Space AgencySolar Orbiter records magnetic maps of the Sun from a unique angle. It detects active regions before they roll into Earth's view, aiding ground observations.
Image credit: European Space AgencyScientists feed spacecraft data into complex computer models to forecast coronal structures. Natural eclipses provide rare chances to verify these virtual simulations against reality.
Image credit: European Space AgencyBecause the Sun rotates every four weeks, Proba-3 images taken two weeks prior offer a direct mirrored preview of the corona structure during the natural eclipse.
Image credit: European Space AgencyCombining multi-angle observations helps map tangled magnetic lines in three dimensions. This insight lays the foundation for Vigil, ESA's planned 2031 space weather mission.
Image credit: European Space AgencyAs 12 August approaches, researchers compare advanced digital predictions with real observations, uniting multiple spacecraft to unlock the secrets of our star.
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