In brief
The Parker Solar Probe has made history by surviving the closest-ever approach to the Sun, reaching a staggering 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) from our solar star and capturing invaluable data about the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. Launched in 2018, the probe braved temperatures of up to 1,800°F (980°C) and speeds of 430,000 mph (692,000 kph) during its Christmas Eve fly-by, all while protected by a carbon-composite shield. Experts are eager to decipher the mystery behind the scorching hot corona, which reaches millions of degrees even farther from the Sun's surface, as well as develop a deeper understanding of solar winds that affect life on Earth.
NASA’s scientists were anxious while awaiting a signal after the probe's daring approach, but eventually received confirmation that the spacecraft was safe and functioning normally. With each close flyby, the mission continues to pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries in solar science.
