On December 24, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe created a new history when it passed closest to the Sun. At 5:10 pm Indian time, this spacecraft was at a distance of only 6 million kilometers from the Sun. This is the first man-made object that has come so close to the Sun. However, no official statement has been issued by NASA yet.
Made a record of passing closest to the sun
On December 24, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe created history and set a record for passing closest to the Sun. At 5:10 pm Indian time, this spacecraft reached a distance of only 6 million kilometers from the Sun. This is the first object made by humans, which has succeeded in getting so close to the Sun. However, no official statement has been issued by NASA yet.
On Dec. 24, our Parker Solar Probe will make history with a record-breaking closest approach to the Sun ☀️
Follow along in real time with this interactive visualization, brought to you by @NASA_eyes and @NASASun, https://t.co/DXeKvMdJsl pic.twitter.com/zQUdlozvqt
— NASA (@NASA) December 23, 2024
Reached new heights breaking old records
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has come 7 times closer to the Sun than all other missions so far. During this historic mission the speed of the probe exceeded 6.9 lakh kilometers per hour. This is the fastest speed of any object made by humans so far. Parker has reached new heights by breaking his own old records.
NASA has announced that the Parker Solar Probe is about to make its closest flyby ever. This spacecraft will reach a distance of only 62 lakh kilometers from the surface of the Sun. During this time, the spacecraft will remain in contact with the Sun’s outer atmosphere and face its extreme heat. The results of this important mission will be known by the evening of 28th December. At 5 pm it will be known whether the spacecraft is safe from the intense heat of the Sun or whether it has perished in the high temperatures.
To protect the Parker Solar Probe from the intense heat of the Sun, a 4.5 inch thick carbon composite armor layer has been used in it. This layer will help in investigation and data collection while keeping the vehicle and its instruments safe. Parker Solar Probe’s temperature can reach more than 1,000 degrees Celsius as it passes by the Sun.
Earlier in 2021, Parker Solar Probe created history by flying closest to the Sun for the first time. This was the first spacecraft that studied the Sun so closely. The mission was designed to pass the Sun a total of 24 times. Today Parker has completed its 22nd close flight, which will be another important milestone in this historic mission.
In 2025, Parker Solar Probe will pass close to the Sun two more times, after which its mission will end. However, the vehicle still has enough fuel left to operate for several years. But after the mission is completed, it will never come so close to the Sun again.
2018 Parker Solar Probe was launched
In 2018, NASA launched Parker Solar Probe with the aim of knowing the secrets of the Sun closely. This mission was started with the hope of answering some important questions related to the Sun. Since launch, the probe has made several close passes of the Sun and its outer atmospheric layer, called the ‘corona’. This is the same layer that is visible during a solar eclipse.