NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first human-made object to fly extremely close to the Sun.
- On December 24, the probe reached a perihelion—a record-breaking distance of 6.1 million kilometers (3.8 million miles) from the Sun’s surface.
- At its closest approach, it traveled at an unprecedented speed of approximately 700,000 kilometers per hour (430,000 miles per hour), solidifying its status as the fastest human-made object in history.
- Following the flyby, the spacecraft transmitted a beacon tone, confirming its health after enduring the intense solar environment. During its closest approach, the probe was out of contact with Earth due to its proximity to the Sun.
Mission Highlights:
- Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe’s mission is to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, aiming to uncover the origins of phenomena such as the solar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles from the Sun.
- This flyby is the first of three final close approaches planned for the mission, providing unparalleled insights into the Sun’s behavior.
- By taking measurements during these close passes, the probe allows scientists to:
- Understand how material near the Sun is heated to millions of degrees.
- Trace the origins of the solar wind and map its structures.
- Discover how energetic particles are accelerated to near-light speeds.
Scientific Achievements:
Previous passes have helped:
- Identify the source regions of the solar wind.
- Map the outer boundary of the Sun’s atmosphere, or the corona.
Living With a Star Program:
- The Parker Solar Probe is a cornerstone of NASA’s Living With a Star program, which focuses on studying the Sun-Earth system to better understand solar phenomena that directly impact life and society.
- This historic mission continues to reshape our understanding of the Sun and its influence on the solar system, paving the way for advancements in both science and space exploration.
