In a groundbreaking event Nasa’s Parker Solar Probe is set to make its closest approach to the Sun on Christmas Eve December 24, 2024. The spacecraft will pass within approximately 6.1 million kilometers of the Sun’s surface at 5:23 pm IST, marking the closest any human-made object has ever ventured toward a star.
Mission operators at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland last communicated with the probe on December 21, confirming that all systems were functioning normally. However, during the critical close approach, the spacecraft will lose contact with Earth as it endures the intense conditions near the Sun.
Nick Pinkine, mission operations manager for the Parker Solar Probe, expressed excitement about the flyby, calling it an unprecedented opportunity. “No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” he stated.
Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe was designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. The spacecraft has already completed multiple orbits around the Sun and reached incredible speeds of up to 692,000 kilometers per hour. Its advanced thermal protection system has exceeded expectations, enabling it to endure extreme temperatures during close encounters.
The upcoming flyby is particularly significant as it occurs during a solar maximum a period of heightened solar activity. Scientists hope the data gathered will provide critical insights into solar storms, space weather, and the Sun’s behavior.
After the flyby, Parker is expected to transmit a beacon signal on December 27, confirming its health and operational status. The findings from this mission could have far-reaching implications, enhancing our understanding of solar activity and its impact on Earth and the broader solar system.