In a groundbreaking mission, NASA's Parker Solar Probe is on track to achieve a remarkable feat by flying closer to the sun than any previous spacecraft. Launched in 2018, the probe has already ventured through the sun's corona, the outer atmosphere visible during a total solar eclipse.
The next significant milestone for the Parker Solar Probe is its closest approach to the sun, scheduled for Tuesday. The spacecraft is expected to pass within a record-breaking distance of 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) from the sun's surface, which is equivalent to being on the 4-yard line of a football field if the sun and Earth were at opposite ends.
Traveling at an astounding speed of 430,000 mph (690,000 kph) at its closest approach, the Parker Solar Probe is the fastest spacecraft ever built. Equipped with a robust heat shield capable of withstanding temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,371 degrees Celsius), the probe will continue orbiting the sun at this proximity until at least September.
Scientists are eager to gain insights into the mysteries of the sun, such as understanding why the corona is significantly hotter than the sun's surface and unraveling the mechanisms behind the solar wind, a high-speed stream of charged particles emanating from the sun.
While the sun's radiant energy sustains life on Earth, it also poses risks during severe solar storms that can disrupt communication systems and power grids. Currently in the peak phase of its 11-year cycle, the sun is causing colorful auroras to appear in unexpected locations.
As NASA's Joe Westlake aptly describes, the sun is both our closest and most familiar celestial neighbor, yet it can exhibit moments of intense activity.
