During a record-breaking visit, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe attempts a historic first by diving into the Sun’s atmosphere. Launched in 2018, the spacecraft will endure intense heat and radiation to transform our knowledge of solar activity.
On Christmas Eve, Parker reached 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface, an unprecedented proximity for any spacecraft. NASA officials compare this to placing the Sun and Earth one meter apart, with the probe hovering just four centimeters away.
Moving at an extraordinary speed of 430,000mph, it outpaced all other human-made objects in history. The probe relies on its 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield to withstand blistering temperatures of 1,400 degrees Celsius.
Scientists hope NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will unravel mysteries about the Sun’s corona, which unexpectedly reached millions of degrees hotter than its surface. Dr Jenifer Millard from Fifth Star Labs in Wales highlights this phenomenon, emphasizing the need to understand the solar atmosphere’s baffling heating process.
Parker’s mission also explores solar wind, the stream of charged particles that triggers spectacular auroras but can disrupt Earth’s technology. By studying these solar particles, NASA aims to predict and mitigate the impact of space weather on communication systems and power grids.
During its closest approach, the spacecraft lost communication, leaving NASA scientists awaiting confirmation of its survival. The team expects a signal on December 28th, marking Parker’s resilience in these brutal conditions.
Nicola Fox from NASA expressed confidence, stating, “But we really have designed it to withstand all of these brutal, brutal conditions. It’s a tough, tough little spacecraft.” If successful, Parker Solar Probes’ historic journey will continue to provide groundbreaking insights into the Sun’s behavior and its influence on Earth.
