Parker Survived His First Approach to the Sun

Parker Survived His First Approach to the Sun

The Parker Spacecraft has successfully passed its first approach to the Sun, NASA reported. This happened on Monday 5th of November, when the device flew 24 million kilometers from the surface of the Star.

This makes Parker the only spacecraft that was so close to the Sun. 24 million km. look very much from Earth’s point of view, but for the scale of the Sun and Space is very small. They have exposed Parker to serious heat, strong solar radiation and a solar wind.

“The Parker Probe is designed to be able to take care of itself while approaching the Sun and we already know that it can do so.” Parker is the culmination of six decades of scientific progress and we have made the first close visit of humanity to our star, which will be reflected not only in Earth’s science, but also in a better understanding of the universe, “said Thomas Zurbeken, one of the heads of the NASA Scientific Research Unit.

Parker Survived His First Approach to the Sun

Analyzes after the first approach to the Sun have shown the best possible results. All probe’s equipment works optimally, collects scientific information, and the device autonomously manages everything. During its perihelion (closest passage around the Sun), Parker has reached a speed of 343,252 km / h, setting a record for the fastest spacecraft so far. The probe has been exposed to a temperature of about 437 degrees Celsius.

The mission of “Parker” just begun. The probe is yet to come closer to the Sun. Gradually the temperature will reach up to 1371 degrees Celsius, but the special sun protector will keep the equipment at far more comfortable 30 degrees Celsius.

3 Responses

  • What information is this probe suppose to provide?
    Why is it important?
    When the probe is eventually destroyed by the Sun, are you sure it will not cause any problems for the Sun or other planets, such as a Solar Flair.

    • Hi Patricia,
      Parker Solar Probe will provide new data on solar activity and make critical contributions to our ability to forecast major space-weather events that impact life on Earth. We shouldn’t worry about negative impact for the Sun by sending the Probe there, because comparing with the size of our Star, Parker probe is smaller than a sell for our body

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