NASA's Parker probe is preparing to break a new record for proximity to the Sun this Tuesday, December 24. Only 6.2 million kilometers from the surface of the planet, it is the continuation of a daring mission to unravel the mysteries of the solar atmosphere and space storms.
NASA's Parker probe is preparing to get close to the Sun, spending Tuesday, on Christmas Eve, closer to the star than it has ever done before in order to study its atmosphere. Launched in August 2018 for a seven-year mission, Parker must deepen scientific knowledge of our star in particular in order to unravel the secret of solar storms, which can have an impact on terrestrial communications. On Tuesday, December 24, at 11:53 GMT, the probe will be 6.2 million kilometers from the surface of the star, a record proximity. “This is an example of NASA’s bold missions, accomplishing something no one has ever done before to answer long-standing questions about our universe.”Parker Solar Probe program scientist Arik Posner said in a statement.
“We look forward to receiving the first ship update and starting to receive science data in the coming weeks.”he added. The mission team will lose direct contact with the probe during this approach – called perihelion – but it must receive a signal from the spacecraft on Friday. During its approach, Parker will travel at a blistering speed of around 690,000 km/h — which would make it possible to reach Washington from Tokyo in less than a minute.
Read alsoDeath of astrophysicist Eugene Parker, pioneer of solar research
The probe's heat shield will endure extreme temperatures of around 870 to 930 degrees Celsius, but its internal instruments will remain close to room temperature – around 29°C – as it explores the outermost layer of the atmosphere of the Sun, called the crown.
One of Parker's goals, venturing[…]
Read more on sciencesetavenir.fr
