NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Set for Unprecedented Solar Encounter
A NASA spacecraft is poised to make history by flying closer to the sun than any object sent before. The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, is on a mission to unlock the mysteries of our nearest star.
Since its launch, Parker has made significant strides, including flying straight through the sun’s corona—the outer atmosphere visible during a total solar eclipse. Now, the probe is preparing for its next milestone: the closest approach to the sun.
Record-Breaking Proximity
On Tuesday, Parker is scheduled to hurtle through the sizzling solar atmosphere, passing within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the sun’s surface. To put this proximity into perspective, if the sun and Earth were at opposite ends of a football field, Parker would be on the 4-yard line, according to NASA’s Joe Westlake.
Traveling at an astounding speed of 430,000 mph (690,000 kph), Parker is the fastest spacecraft ever built. It is equipped with a robust heat shield capable of withstanding scorching temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,371 degrees Celsius).
Unveiling Solar Secrets
Scientists eagerly await the data Parker will collect during this daring maneuver. By venturing so close to the sun, the probe aims to help researchers understand why the corona is hundreds of times hotter than the sun’s surface and what drives the solar wind—the supersonic stream of charged particles constantly emanating from the sun.
“It both is our closest, friendliest neighbor,” Westlake said, “but also at times is a little angry.”
Implications for Earth
The sun’s activity has direct effects on Earth. While its warming rays make life possible, severe solar storms can disrupt radio communications and power grids. Currently, the sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, triggering colorful auroras in unexpected places.
Parker will continue circling the sun at this unprecedented distance until at least September. Mission managers will have to wait several days after the flyby to learn how the spacecraft fared, as it will be out of communication range during its closest approach.
A Leap Forward in Space Exploration
The Parker Solar Probe’s groundbreaking journey represents a significant leap forward in space exploration and our understanding of the sun. As the probe braves the intense heat and radiation, it brings us closer to unlocking the secrets of our star and its influence on the solar system.
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NASA's solar probe aims to fly closer to the sun like never before
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