NASA’s Parker Solar Probe achieved a historic milestone on December 24, making its closest-ever approach to the Sun. Flying at an astonishing speed of 430,000 mph (690,000 kph) and enduring extreme temperatures of up to 982°C (1,800°F), the spacecraft ventured within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the Sun, deep into its scorching outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
The flyby, which occurred at 6:53 am (1153 GMT), marks a monumental achievement in space exploration. However, due to a temporary loss of contact during the spacecraft’s closest approach, confirmation of the event is expected by Friday. Nick Pinkine, mission operations manager at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, described the feat as “returning data from uncharted territory.”
Mission Highlights
Equipped with a robust heat shield, the Parker Solar Probe maintains its internal instruments at a stable temperature of approximately 85°F (29°C) despite the intense solar heat. Its mission aims to uncover mysteries about the Sun, including the origins of solar wind, the formation of coronal mass ejections, and the extreme heat of the corona.
Launched in 2018, the probe has used Venus’s gravity to adjust its orbit gradually, bringing it closer to the Sun with each pass. In 2021, it made its first entry into the Sun’s atmosphere, revealing new insights into its boundaries and capturing detailed images of coronal streamers.
What’s Next?
The Christmas Eve flyby is the first of three scheduled close encounters with the Sun, with the next two set for March 22 and June 19, 2025. Scientists are eager to analyze the data from these encounters, which promise to deepen our understanding of solar phenomena.
In addition to its primary mission, the probe has also contributed to planetary science. One of its instruments captured visible light from Venus, allowing researchers to see through the planet’s dense atmosphere to its surface—a significant breakthrough.
This extraordinary mission continues to push the boundaries of solar science, providing unprecedented insights into the star that sustains life on Earth.
