The Parker Solar Probe, the fastest object ever built by humans, will fly close to the sun today, racing past at a speed of 435,000mph to study the sun’s surface and atmosphere. This incredible speed would cover the distance between London and New York in just 29 seconds due to immense gravitational forces pulling the probe in.
In its closest orbit yet, the Parker Solar Probe will pass just 3.8 million miles above the sun’s surface, entering the corona, the super-heated outer atmosphere visible during a total solar eclipse from Earth.
The front of the spacecraft is expected to reach 1,400C as it enters the outer corona. Pic: NASA / John Hopkins / APL
The front of the spacecraft is expected to reach 1,400C, and it will signal back to Earth on 27 December to confirm its survival. Yanping Guo, the mission design and navigation manager, expressed confidence in the probe’s success.
The Parker Solar Probe was launched in August 2018 and is now in its 22nd orbit, the closest it will get to the sun. Scientists hope to gather valuable data to better understand the sun, including new insights on the solar wind and its effects on Earth.
The Parker probe was launched in August 2018 and is making its 22nd orbit around the star. Pic: NASA / John Hopkins / APL
Prof. Tim Horbury from Imperial College London highlighted the importance of understanding the solar wind and its impact on Earth, emphasizing the need to make better predictions for our planet’s safety.
Researchers hope that the Parker Solar Probe’s new orbit will provide insights into the sun’s super-heated outer atmosphere, with temperatures exceeding 1 million degrees Celsius. This mission, decades in the making, combines groundbreaking science and extraordinary engineering achievements in an incredibly challenging environment.
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A mission to approach the sun was first proposed in 1958, but only recently has technology advanced enough to create a spacecraft capable of withstanding the harsh conditions. The Parker Solar Probe’s design includes a massive heat shield to protect its instruments from the intense heat of the sun.
Prof. Horbury expressed his gratitude for being part of this groundbreaking mission and highlighted the incredible scientific and engineering achievements that have made it possible.