NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Historic Flyby
On December 24, 2024, NASA's Parker Solar Probe flew closer to the sun than any spacecraft before it, reaching a distance of 6.1 million kilometers.
The spacecraft's heat shield endured temperatures up to 930°C, protecting its instruments, which remained at about 29°C.
Launched in August 2018, the seven-year mission aims to study the sun's atmosphere, improve space-weather forecasting, and answer critical questions about solar phenomena.
Significant Scientific Impact
The probe will help scientists understand the origins of solar wind, the corona's higher temperature compared to the sun's surface, and how solar flares and coronal mass ejections occur.
The spacecraft’s closest approach, called perihelion, allowed it to study the sun’s corona in unprecedented detail.
The probe travels at a speed of 690,000 km/hr, enabling it to gather data quickly and efficiently.
Future Milestones
The Parker Solar Probe will make two more close passes in 2025 (March 22 and June 19), further enhancing our understanding of the sun.
Gravitational Assistance: To achieve its close proximity to the sun, the probe uses Venus flybys to adjust its orbit gradually.
Scientists eagerly await data from the probe as it continues its groundbreaking exploration of the sun.
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