December 23rd 2024.
In 2018, NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe with the goal of getting an up-close look at our sun. This spacecraft has already flown through the sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, which is only visible during a total solar eclipse. Now, it's preparing for its next milestone: the closest approach to the sun.
According to plans, the Parker Solar Probe will soar through the sun's scorching atmosphere this week and come within a record-breaking distance of only six million kilometers from its surface. To put that into perspective, if the sun and Earth were on opposite ends of a football field, the spacecraft would be on the four-yard line. NASA's Joe Westlake explains that this is the closest any spacecraft has ever been to the sun.
However, we won't know how the Parker Solar Probe fared until a few days after the flyby. This is because the spacecraft will be out of communication range during its closest approach. It's expected to reach speeds of 690,000 kilometers per hour, making it the fastest spacecraft ever built. And to withstand the intense heat of 1371 degrees, it's equipped with a special heat shield.
After the close encounter, the Parker Solar Probe will continue circling the sun at this distance until at least September. Scientists are hoping to gain a better understanding of the sun's corona, which is hundreds of times hotter than its surface, and the solar wind, which is a constant stream of charged particles that blasts away from the sun at supersonic speeds.
As we all know, the sun's warmth is crucial for life on Earth. However, it can also pose a threat when it unleashes severe solar storms that can temporarily disrupt communications and power systems. Currently, the sun is at the maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, which is causing colorful auroras in unexpected places.
Westlake describes the sun as both our closest and friendliest neighbor, but also one that can be a little angry at times. As we continue to explore and study our nearest star, the Parker Solar Probe is providing valuable insights into its mysteries. Stay updated on all the latest news, sports, politics, and weather by downloading the 9News app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
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