Washington DC: NASA’s Parker Probe is making history with its closest-ever approach to the Sun, flying into the star’s outer atmosphere to gather crucial data.
The spacecraft, launched in 2018, has already passed the Sun 21 times, but this Christmas Eve pass is record-breaking.
At its closest approach, it will be just 3.8 million miles (6.2 million km) from the Sun’s surface, facing extreme temperatures of 1,400°C and intense radiation.
The probe is protected by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield but will be moving at an incredible 430,000 mph.
Scientists hope this mission will solve longstanding mysteries about the Sun’s corona, which is millions of degrees hotter than the Sun’s surface, despite being further from the star.
The probe’s journey will also shed light on the solar wind, which affects Earth’s magnetic field, creating auroras and potentially disrupting communication and power systems.
Due to the extreme conditions, the spacecraft will be out of contact for several days, and scientists are anxiously awaiting a signal on December 27 to confirm the probe’s survival.
NASA’s Dr. Nicola Fox, head of science at NASA, expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s design but admitted to worrying about the mission’s high-risk nature.
Once communication is re-established, the team will send a green heart emoji to signify the probe’s success.
Scientists are hopeful that the data collected will provide valuable insights into space weather, ultimately enhancing our understanding of the Sun and its impact on life on Earth.
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