Parker Solar Probe is a mission NASA launched in 2018. This space probe was sent into space to enter the Sun’s outer corona, or corona, to observe it. By 2025, it is aimed to approach the Sun up to 6.9 million kilometers from its center.
The spacecraft, which came close to this goal, took a big step for the mission and entered the Sun corona. This Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to pass through the upper atmosphere of the Sun. Here are the details of the mission…
Parker Solar Probe enters corona
The vehicle passed within 15 Solar radii (about 10.5 million kilometers) from the Sun’s surface in an area where magnetic fields dominate solar conditions in April. NASA associate administrator Thomas Zurbuchen spoke of the Parker Solar Probe’s ‘touching the Sun’ being a monumental moment for solar science and a remarkable achievement.
The atmosphere, called the solar corona or corona, provides itself with gravity and a magnetic field. It can only be seen from Earth during a Solar Eclipse. At a boundary known as the Alfvén critical surface, objects can escape this gravity and magnetic field and permanently cut off their ties to the Sun.
Scientists estimate that the corona is 10 to 20 Solar radii (solar radii) from the Sun’s surface. The PSP detected the magnetic and particle conditions required for the corona around 18.8 solar radii. By going in and out of the boundary several times, Alfvén proved that its critical surface contains spikes and is not in the shape of a smooth ball.
The PSP has made its closest transit to the Sun ever. It also reached the highest speed of any man-made object currently around 430,000 MPH. According to scientists’ estimates, the next close flyby will take place in January 2022, he says. They also mentioned that it would help study space weather events that could disrupt telecommunications and possibly damage satellites around Earth.
What do you guys think of NASA’s first vehicle to enter the Sun’s atmosphere? You can share your ideas with us in the comments.
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