Parker Solar Probe: NASA’s Mission to “Touch” the Sun
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is on a historic mission to get closer to the Sun than any spacecraft in history. On Christmas Eve, the probe reached a record-breaking proximity of 3.8 million miles from the Sun’s surface, enduring temperatures of 1,400°C and extreme radiation. This daring plunge into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, is expected to yield groundbreaking insights into our star’s mysteries, particularly the unexpected heating of the corona, which is millions of degrees hotter than the Sun’s surface.
Launched in 2018, Parker Solar Probe has completed 21 flybys of the Sun, each bringing it closer to its target. For comparison, if the Sun and Earth were a meter apart, the probe would be just four centimeters from the Sun. Its carbon-composite heat shield, 11.5 centimeters thick, protects it from the Sun’s brutal conditions. The spacecraft’s incredible speed, 430,000 mph, results from the Sun’s immense gravitational pull, allowing it to travel faster than any human-made object.
The mission aims to solve the enigma of the corona’s extreme heat. The Sun’s surface reaches approximately 6,000°C, yet the corona, farther away, reaches millions of degrees. Scientists are eager to understand the mechanisms behind this unusual heating. Additionally, Parker will study solar wind—the constant stream of charged particles from the Sun’s atmosphere—that impacts Earth’s magnetic field, causing stunning auroras but also posing risks to power grids, satellites, and communication systems.
Dr. Nicola Fox, NASA's head of science, likened the mission to experiencing a location’s atmosphere firsthand. “You don’t experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go visit it,” she explained. Dr. Jenifer Millard, an astronomer, highlighted the significance of this study, emphasizing its importance to life on Earth and the potential to mitigate the impacts of space weather.
As the spacecraft completes its closest flyby, it remains out of communication due to the intense environment. Scientists await a signal expected on December 28, which will confirm the probe’s survival. Dr. Fox shared her optimism, expressing confidence in Parker’s robust design to endure these harsh conditions.
The Parker Solar Probe’s mission not only seeks to deepen our understanding of the Sun’s behavior but also to provide practical benefits, including improved forecasting of solar storms. If successful, this “tough little spacecraft” will continue its pioneering journey around the Sun, shaping the future of solar science.
Refrence From: www.bbc.com