NASA’s Parker Solar Probe turns up the heat with record-breaking sun dive

NASA's Parker Solar Probe set records on Christmas Eve, at 6,35,266 kilometres from the Sun, enduring 1,800°F heat, and reaching 6,92,000 kph. It collects data on the Sun's corona, solving mysteries about solar winds and space weather

Hyderabad: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe soared to a historic milestone on Christmas Eve, venturing closer to the Sun than any spacecraft before. At just 6,35,266 kilometres from the Sun’s surface, the probe braved searing temperatures exceeding 1,800°F (980°C) while speeding at an astonishing 6,92,000 kph—300 times faster than a jet fighter.

This 22nd solar flyby not only smashed its own proximity and speed records but also took the probe deep into the corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The Parker Solar Probe’s mission goes beyond record-breaking stunts. It aims to unravel the long-standing “coronal heating mystery”—why the corona is millions of degrees hotter than the Sun’s surface. Equipped with a carbon-composite shield, the probe collects crucial data about solar winds and space weather, which affect Earth’s communication systems and power grids.

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To reach these extreme conditions, the probe used seven gravitational assists from Venus, with the last occurring in November 2024. Parker’s advanced heat-resistant shield ensures its survival in such a harsh environment. However, communication with the probe is temporarily lost during close approaches due to intense solar interference. Scientists eagerly await confirmation of its survival, expected on December 27.

As Parker continues its mission with two more scheduled flybys in 2025, it edges humanity closer to unlocking the Sun’s enigmatic secrets. This celestial feat proves that even the wildest myths, like touching the Sun, can inspire groundbreaking exploration.