A NASA spacecraft is making history with an audacious mission to get closer to the Sun than any human-made object ever has. The Parker Solar Probe is venturing into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, enduring unimaginable heat and radiation in its quest to unravel some of the star’s greatest mysteries.
Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has been inching closer to the Sun over the course of 21 previous flybys. This latest approach on Christmas Eve sets a new record, bringing it just 3.8 million miles (6.2 million km) from the Sun’s surface. For perspective, NASA’s Dr. Nicola Fox explains: “We are 93 million miles away from the Sun, so if I put the Sun and the Earth one meter apart, Parker Solar Probe is just four centimeters from the Sun. That’s how close we’re getting.”
This remarkable journey is not without its challenges. As the probe dives into the Sun’s corona—the tenuous outer atmosphere visible during solar eclipses—it faces searing temperatures of 1,400°C (2,552°F) and intense radiation that could easily fry its electronics. To survive, the spacecraft is protected by a 4.5-inch (11.5 cm) carbon-composite shield and relies on its strategy of “touch-and-go” — entering and exiting the Sun’s atmosphere at breathtaking speeds. In fact, Parker Solar Probe will travel at 430,000 mph, fast enough to fly from London to New York in under 30 seconds.
NASA scientists eagerly anticipate the scientific insights this daring mission could provide. One of the key mysteries they hope to solve is why the Sun’s corona is so inexplicably hot. The surface of the Sun is about 6,000°C, yet the corona—farther away from the Sun’s core—reaches temperatures of several million degrees. Dr. Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs, calls it a “long-standing mystery” that has puzzled scientists for decades.
In addition to this, the mission will offer crucial insights into the Sun’s solar wind—a continuous stream of charged particles emanating from the corona. These particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating stunning auroras in the sky. But they also have a disruptive side, known as space weather, which can damage power grids, electronics, and communication systems. Dr. Millard emphasizes, “Understanding the Sun, its activity, space weather, and the solar wind is so important to our everyday lives on Earth.”
This record-breaking approach is not without its risks. During its closest encounter, the Parker Solar Probe will be out of communication with Earth for several days, leaving scientists anxiously awaiting a signal, expected on December 27, to confirm the spacecraft’s survival. To ease nerves, NASA’s team has devised a simple method of reassurance: as soon as the probe sends its all-clear, a green heart emoji will be texted to Dr. Fox to signal its safety.
Dr. Fox admits that while the mission’s dangers are nerve-wracking, she remains confident in the spacecraft’s design. “I will worry about the spacecraft,” she says, “but we’ve really designed it to withstand all of these brutal, brutal conditions. It’s a tough, tough little spacecraft.”
The Parker Solar Probe is not just an engineering marvel; it’s a testament to humanity’s relentless curiosity and ingenuity. By daring to “touch” the Sun, this groundbreaking mission could rewrite our understanding of the star that makes life on Earth possible. For now, scientists and space enthusiasts alike hold their breath, waiting for Parker’s signal that it has braved the Sun’s fury and emerged triumphant.
