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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Time-lapse video of the total eclipse of the Sun seen from Casper, Wyoming (US), on 21 August 2017 by a team of ESA astronomers.The Sun’s atmosphere, or corona, is visible at the moment of totality, when the Moon passed directly in front of the Sun, blocking its light.Just before and after totality, a part of the Sun's chromosphere is visible; the chromosphere sits just above the Sun’s visible surface, and appears red during a total solar eclipse. These moments also capture the last beads of light glinting through gaps in the rugged lunar topography.
Video copyrights: ESA/CESAR, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO ; Music copyright: Flight Of The Angel 3 by Chris Blackwell, audionetwork.com