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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Nasa probe successfully completes closest-ever approach to sun

NASA Sun Earth
A solar probe flying against the background of the sun's surface
Artist’s illustration shows the Parker solar probe flying into the sun’s outer atmosphere. Photograph: Nasa/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben/Reuters

Santa and his reindeer were not the only bodies making a celestial journey on 24 December: Nasa has revealed that its Parker solar probe successfully completed its closest-ever approach to the sun and remains in good health.

It is the closest any human-made object has ever come to our star, with the probe experiencing temperatures of up to 982C (1,800F) and intense radiation.

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