Parker Solar Probe, the first human mission to a star, is led by NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. The spacecraft is approaching its closest encounter with the sun, flying within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface. Gathering crucial data to enhance forecasting models on Earth, the Parker Solar Probe is currently the fastest human-made object hurtling towards the sun at speeds of 430,000 mph. Scheduled for December 24, this upcoming mission milestone marks a historic event for the probe.
Launched in 2018, Parker Solar Probe has completed 21 close flybys around the sun. However, its upcoming Christmas Eve mission will be unprecedented. At 6:53 a.m. ET, the spacecraft is expected to achieve the closest approach to the sun ever by a human-made object. This daring mission will bring it closer than any prior or planned future approaches, aiming to reach within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface.
Anticipating temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, the spacecraft is well-equipped with a protective heat shield designed to withstand over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Although 3.8 million miles may seem vast from Earth’s perspective, it is incredibly close in the vastness of deep space. Joe Westlake, Director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division, likened the probe’s proximity to the sun to being on the 4-yard line of an American football field.
As the Parker Solar Probe approaches the sun’s upper atmosphere, humanity is on the brink of touching a star for the first time. This momentous occasion on Christmas Eve represents the culmination of years of preparation and determination by NASA. The spacecraft’s orbital design and gradual shedding of energy have made this close approach possible after several years of missions.
The Parker Solar Probe, comparable in size to a small car, has progressively achieved tighter flybys over the years. From flying within 8.4 million miles of the sun in September 2020 to reaching within 4.5 million miles by September 2023, the spacecraft has steadily advanced its close encounters. During these close approaches, communication with Earth is temporarily cut off as the spacecraft autonomously navigates through the sun’s upper atmosphere.
While the mission may not lead to discoveries of alien life or crewed missions to the sun’s surface, it holds significant importance. By studying the sun’s dynamic activity, such as solar flares and eruptions releasing charged particles, the Parker Solar Probe contributes valuable insights that could help address fundamental questions about our world and beyond.
“Understanding the workings of our sun is crucial for unraveling the mysteries of life’s origins and potential existence beyond Earth,” stated Rawafi during NASA’s livestream. This knowledge can provide insights into the formation of life on our planet and its possible presence elsewhere in the vast universe.
Alex Young, associate director for science communication in NASA’s Heliophysics Science Division, emphasized the significance of studying our sun up close. He highlighted how this exploration can shed light on the interactions between stars and the myriad planets that populate the cosmos – each potentially harboring conditions akin to those on Earth.
Expressing anticipation for a remarkable event, Rawafi expressed hope for an unprecedented solar explosion as the Parker Solar Probe nears its approach. Currently in a phase of heightened solar activity known as a solar maximum, the sun is brimming with potent flares, eruptions, and ejections.
During these intense phenomena, charged particles can journey towards Earth, posing risks such as satellite disruptions, GPS interference, and radiation exposure for astronauts. With the increasing deployment of satellites and human space missions, the threat posed by these solar events looms larger. However, the lack of precise forecasting models hinders the ability to provide timely warnings to satellite operators and astronauts.
Yearning for a substantial solar event, Rawafi envisions the probe being ideally positioned to study a powerful explosion in real-time, enabling the acquisition of extensive data to refine forecasting models. The wealth of data already amassed by the Parker Solar Probe is so vast that it will require decades to fully analyze, as shared by Rawafi at the American Geophysical Union annual meeting in early December.
Scheduled to complete a total of 24 orbits around the sun, with the final two slated for 2025, the Parker Solar Probe continues to contribute invaluable insights into the workings of our closest star. By delving into the dynamics of solar activity, scientists aim to enhance their understanding of the sun’s behavior and its implications for space missions and technological infrastructure.
The quest to unravel the sun’s mysteries not only holds scientific intrigue but also carries practical implications for safeguarding our space assets and enhancing our ability to navigate the challenges of space exploration. As the Parker Solar Probe continues its mission of solar exploration, the data it yields promises to deepen our comprehension of the celestial forces that shape our solar system and beyond.
