NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has once again made history by completing a close flyby of the Sun on March 22. Travelling at a mind-boggling speed of 692,000 kilometres per hour, the spacecraft approached within 6.1 million kilometres of the solar surface, marking its third close encounter with the Sun.
The mission, which began in August 2018, is the first ever attempt to study the outer corona of the Sun and the solar winds that emanate from it. These winds, made up of electrically charged particles, can travel at speeds of over a million miles per hour and have the potential to cause disruptions in space weather here on Earth.
The successful flyby on March 22 was a major milestone for the Parker Solar Probe team, which includes experts from NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The team received a healthy signal back from the spacecraft on March 25, confirming that the probe had successfully completed its flyby and collected valuable data.
One of the main objectives of the Parker Solar Probe mission is to understand the mechanisms behind the high-speed solar winds and their impact on space weather. By getting closer to the Sun than any other spacecraft, the probe is able to collect data that will help scientists better predict and prepare for potentially hazardous space weather events.
The previous close flybys in November 2018 and April 2019 have already yielded some groundbreaking data, including evidence of a phenomenon known as “switchbacks” – sudden reversals in the direction of the magnetic field. These switchbacks could hold the key to understanding how the Sun’s corona is heated to millions of degrees, a puzzle that has long baffled scientists.
The Parker Solar Probe also carries a suite of instruments to study the solar winds and their properties, including a high-energy particle detector, a magnetometer, and a white light imager. These instruments work together to provide a comprehensive picture of the Sun’s outer atmosphere and its impact on the surrounding space environment.
In recognition of the team’s outstanding efforts and achievements, NASA and Johns Hopkins APL have been awarded the 2020 National Space Club and Foundation’s Goddard Trophy. This prestigious award is given annually to recognize significant contributions to the field of spaceflight.
The Goddard Trophy is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Parker Solar Probe team, who have overcome numerous challenges to make this groundbreaking mission a success. From engineering a spacecraft that can withstand extreme temperatures and radiation, to developing cutting-edge technology to capture and transmit data from the Sun, the team has pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.
The Parker Solar Probe’s next close encounter with the Sun is scheduled for January 2021, when it will get even closer to the solar surface, reaching within 4 million kilometres. This will be followed by several more close flybys, with the final one in 2025 bringing the spacecraft within just 3.8 million kilometres of the Sun’s surface.
With each flyby, the Parker Solar Probe will continue to gather data and unlock the mysteries of the Sun, helping us to better understand our star and its influence on our planet. The insights gained from this mission will not only advance our knowledge of the Sun, but also have practical applications in predicting and mitigating the effects of space weather on Earth and our technological systems.
The success of the Parker Solar Probe mission is a testament to NASA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and furthering our understanding of the universe. With each new discovery, we are reminded of the vastness and complexity of our solar system and the endless possibilities that lie beyond. The future holds many more exciting missions and discoveries, and the Parker Solar Probe is just the beginning.
