Parker Solar Probe Makes 23rd Close Approach to Sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is set to make its closest solar approach yet, diving within 3.8 million miles of the Sun's surface at speeds of 430,000 mph, making it the fastest human-made object ever. This marks the probe's 23rd close encounter with the Sun, where it will gather data crucial for understanding the solar corona and the solar wind, phenomena that remain largely mysterious in heliophysics. The spacecraft's mission seeks to answer significant questions, including why the solar corona is hotter than the Sun's surface and how solar wind accelerates. As Parker makes this autonomous dive, real-time communication with Earth will be impossible, with data expected to be received only after the flyby. Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has already completed multiple successful passes and is equipped with a specialized heat shield to withstand extreme conditions. This mission holds the potential to enhance our understanding of solar activity that impacts space weather and terrestrial communications.