On April 8, 2024, ESAs Proba-2 satellite tape-recorded two partial solar eclipses, offering insights into the Suns corona through images caught in extreme ultraviolet light. Credit: ESA/Royal Observatory of BelgiumESAs Proba-2 satellite observed two partial solar eclipses, improving our understanding of the Suns atmosphere.ESAs Proba-2 captured 2 partial solar eclipses on April 8, 2024. A solar eclipse takes place when the Moon passes in between Earth and the Sun, completely or partially obstructing the Sun from Earths viewpoint. On April 8, fortunate audiences across North America saw the Moon obstructing out the Sun in its whole for a few minutes, while those north and south of the overall eclipse path saw a partial eclipse.Throughout the eclipse period, the Moon crossed Proba-2s field of vision two times, looking like a partial solar eclipse. The satellite flies around 700 km (435 miles) above Earths surface area in what is called a Sun-synchronous orbit, each orbit lasting around 100 minutes.The video was produced from images taken by Proba-2s SWAP telescope, which observes the Sun in severe ultraviolet light. At these wavelengths, the turbulent nature of the Suns surface and corona– the Suns extended atmosphere– end up being noticeable. These measurements need to be made from space, since Earths environment does not enable such brief wavelengths of light to pass through.An overall solar eclipse provides an unique chance to see the Suns corona from Earths surface area, utilizing noticeable light. As the Moon blocks the majority of the Suns brilliant light, the faint corona can be discerned. By comparing the SWAP ultraviolet images to what is seen by (visible light) telescopes in the world, we can learn more about the temperature level and behavior of various structures in the corona.Other solar objectives also took advantage of the special measurement opportunities provided by the eclipse. ESAs Solar Orbiter was positioned close to the Sun and at a 90-degree angle from Earths view throughout the eclipse. This enabled it to complement Earth-based observations by keeping track of the Suns corona side-on, consisting of any solar eruptions pointing in Earths direction.
