GAI, MarioMarioGAIVECCHIATO, AlbertoAlbertoVECCHIATORIVA, AlbertoAlbertoRIVAButkevich, Alexey G.Alexey G.ButkevichBUSONERO, DeborahDeborahBUSONEROLANDINI, FedericoFedericoLANDINI2025-02-062025-02-0620242076-3417http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12386/35822Light bending is one of the classical tests of general relativity and is a crucial aspect to be taken into account for accurate assessments of photon propagation. In particular, high-precision astrometry can constrain theoretical models of gravitation in the weak field limit applicable to the Sun neighborhood. We propose a concept for experimental determination of the light deflection close to the Sun in the (Formula presented.) to (Formula presented.) range, in a modern rendition of the 1919 experiment by Dyson, Eddington and Davidson, using formation flying to generate an artificial long-lasting eclipse. The technology is going to be demonstrated by the forthcoming ESA mission PROBA3. The experimental setup includes two units separated by 150 m and aligned to the mm level: an occulter and a small telescope (0.3 m diameter) with an annular field of view covering a region (Formula presented.) from the Sun. The design is compatible with a space weather payload, merging several instruments for observation of the solar corona and environment. We discuss the measurement conditions and the expected performance.ELETTRONICOenArticle10.3390/app140208882-s2.0-85192432591001148858700001https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85192432591https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/888FIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICAERC sectors::Physical Sciences and Engineering::PE9 Universe sciences: astro-physics/chemistry/biology; solar systems; stellar, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, planetary systems, cosmology, space science, instrumentation::PE9_17 Instrumentation – telescopes, detectors and techniques