science ๐ญ ESA simulates eclipse to predict tomorrow's big one ๐ญ
The European Space Agency created an artificial solar eclipse in space to predict the structure of tomorrow's real one. This was done using two satellites flying 150 metres apart to capture the hidden solar corona. The test was staged about two weeks before the August 12 event, accounting for the Sun's rotation. Scientists can now forecast the corona visible over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal by reversing the image. This research is crucial because the corona dictates space weather that affects satellites and power grids.