NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, providing scientists with unprecedented data to better understand our star. On Christmas Eve, the spacecraft passed just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) from the Sun’s surface, diving into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, despite enduring temperatures of up to 1,800°F (980°C) and extreme radiation.
This milestone marked a new chapter in solar exploration. After the probe’s daring flyby, NASA received a signal indicating that the spacecraft was operating normally. The Parker Solar Probe’s mission aims to unlock the mysteries of the Sun, focusing on areas such as solar wind, the Sun’s atmosphere, and energetic particles.
One of the most compelling scientific questions being investigated is why the Sun’s corona is millions of degrees hotter than its surface, which is about 6,000°C. The spacecraft’s proximity allows it to measure the material and processes within the corona, potentially offering new insights into this long-standing puzzle. Dr. Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs in Wales, explained that understanding this phenomenon is crucial for broader solar research.
Additionally, the Parker Solar Probe will help scientists study solar wind, the continuous flow of charged particles from the Sun that interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. This interaction causes beautiful auroras but can also disrupt communication systems, power grids, and electronics, known as space weather. By learning more about these phenomena, researchers hope to predict and mitigate the impact of solar storms on Earth.
The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, has already completed 21 orbits around the Sun, progressively getting closer to its target. This Christmas Eve flyby set a new record, pushing the spacecraft to speeds of 430,000 mph (692,000 km/h), making it the fastest human-made object in history. Protected by a carbon-composite shield, the spacecraft quickly zoomed in and out of the Sun’s atmosphere, collecting invaluable data that promises to revolutionize our understanding of space weather and the Sun itself.
