The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Computer models are able to simulate the solar corona and create 'a digital eclipse'. Released in June 2025, the images from the Proba-3 mission will help refine these models to compare and adjust variables to match real images.
This image shows the simulation of the solar corona on 23 May 2025. The model's results correspond to magnetic field lines connected to the surface of the Sun, coloured by the speed of the solar wind, and using a transparency filter to see multiple overlapping lines.
The simulation matches closely the high-density streamers shown in Proba-3 images. However, coronal models lack detailed information on the Sun's polar zones leading to lower quality in the predictions in these areas.
This simulation was obtained using KU Leuven’s ‘COCONUT’ software. This software is one of multiple solar coronal models integrated within ESA's Virtual Space Weather Modelling Centre (VSWMC). It can be combined with a vast array of computer models describing other physical processes connecting the Sun to the Earth.
All together, they help to offer a comprehensive image of the solar activity impacting our planet and help citizens and industry prepare against them.