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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A comet is clearly visible in this image as a small white streak to the left of the Sun (covered) in the centre. The white ring in the middle of the picture shows the size of the Sun, which hidden behind the round mask blocking its direct rays.
This image was taken on on 16 April 2002 at 17:18 by the LASCO C3 coronagraph on the ESA/NASA SOHO spacecraft.