NASA is sending the Parker Solar Probe to the Sun.
This pioneering mission is designed to journey closer to the Sun than any spacecraft before it, studying the outer atmosphere (corona) and solar wind. By venturing directly into the Sun's environment, the probe provides unprecedented data to help scientists understand the physics of stars, including our own Sun.
Parker Solar Probe's Mission Objectives
The primary goals of the Parker Solar Probe mission include:
- Investigating how energy and heat move through the solar corona.
- Studying what accelerates the solar wind.
- Exploring the energetic particles within the solar environment.
Latest Achievements
According to recent information from NASA, the Parker Solar Probe continues its ambitious journey:
| Key Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mission | Parker Solar Probe |
| Recent Milestone | Completed its 20th close approach to the Sun |
| Date of Milestone | June 30, 2024 |
| Closest Distance Achieved | Approximately 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface |
| Significance | Matched its own distance record |
These close approaches, or perihelia, allow the probe to collect crucial data from within the Sun's corona, enduring extreme heat and radiation thanks to its advanced thermal protection system. Each pass brings the probe closer to understanding the fundamental processes driving solar activity, which can impact Earth and technology.
The Parker Solar Probe represents a significant step in solar physics, enabling humanity to touch the Sun's atmosphere and gather direct measurements from this dynamic region.
