Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, has become the closest human-made object to the Sun, traveling at record-breaking speeds to unlock the Sun's secrets.
On December 24, 2024, the probe passed just 6 million km from the Sun, entering its corona and enduring temperatures up to 2,600°F with a heat-resistant carbon shield.
The probe’s flybys have revealed unexpected discoveries, like zig-zag patterns in the solar wind and the jagged boundaries of the corona, defying earlier theories.
Credit: NASA
Multiple gravity assists with Venus have not only propelled the probe but also captured groundbreaking images of the planet's dust ring and radio emissions.
Credit: NASA
By observing solar winds and coronal mass ejections, the probe studies how the Sun’s activity shapes the Solar System and influences Earth’s technology.
NASA’s Associate Administrator Nicky Fox calls the mission a historic leap, aiding our understanding of stars and enhancing the search for habitable worlds.
Credit: NASA
Equipped with cutting-edge instruments and a revolutionary heat shield, the probe collects data while maintaining room temperature for its onboard systems.
The probe captured a unique view of comet NEOWISE and recorded how solar activity interacts with planets, offering insights never before accessible to humanity.
The next solar encounters, planned for March and June 2025, promise more groundbreaking data to refine our understanding of the Sun and its effects on the Solar System.