New York — NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to make history with a close approach to the Sun, surpassing any previous spacecraft’s proximity. Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has already ventured into the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere that is visible during a total solar eclipse.
On Tuesday, Parker is scheduled to pass within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the Sun’s surface, racing through its intense and scorching atmosphere. This will be the spacecraft’s closest approach yet, bringing it seven times closer than any previous spacecraft.
According to NASA’s Joe Westlake, this will be akin to a football field where the Sun and Earth are placed at opposite ends, with Parker reaching the “4-yard line.” The spacecraft is expected to reach speeds of 430,000 mph (690,000 kph) at closest approach. Its heat shield, capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 2,500°F (1,371°C), allows it to handle this extreme proximity.
However, Parker will be out of communication range during the flyby, and mission managers will not know the results until several days later.
The mission’s goal is to study the Sun’s corona and solar wind, the stream of charged particles emitted from the Sun. Scientists aim to understand why the corona is much hotter than the Sun’s surface and how the solar wind is generated. This research could provide vital information about space weather, including solar storms that can disrupt communications and power grids on Earth.
With the Sun’s 11-year cycle currently in its maximum phase, the Parker Solar Probe is poised to observe vibrant auroras and gain insights into the Sun’s behavior during this active period.
As Westlake noted, “It is our friendliest and closest neighbor, but it can also be a little irate at times.” The findings from this mission could provide a deeper understanding of our Sun and its impact on Earth.
