NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has once again made history by achieving the closest-ever flyby of the Sun. On December 24, 2024, the spacecraft zoomed past the Sun at a distance of just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers), breaking its previous record. This incredible feat was part of the probe’s 22nd close approach to the Sun.
The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, is designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. By flying through the corona, the spacecraft can gather valuable data to help scientists understand why the corona is much hotter than the Sun’s surface. This mission is crucial for improving our understanding of solar phenomena and their impact on Earth.
During this latest flyby, the Parker Solar Probe reached a speed of 430,000 miles per hour (692,000 kilometers per hour), making it the fastest human-made object ever. The spacecraft’s heat shield, made of carbon composite sandwiches, allows it to withstand the intense heat of up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius).
NASA expects to receive a beacon tone from the probe on December 27, 2024, confirming its health and the success of the mission. The Parker Solar Probe will continue its mission, making four more close passes of the Sun in 20251.
This record-setting mission is a testament to human ingenuity and the quest to explore the unknown. The data collected by the Parker Solar Probe will help scientists unlock the mysteries of our star and improve our ability to forecast solar weather, which can impact satellite communications and power grids on Earth.
