Parker Solar Probe: The Closest Human-Made Object to the Sun
Parker Solar Probe: Uncovering the Secrets of the Solar Wind
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Published in
01-16-2025

Photo: NASA
The Parker Solar Probe is a true feat of engineering, able to withstand the extreme temperatures of the solar corona thanks to a very ingenious design. The key to the probe's survival lies in its heat shield. This shield is composed of several layers of highly specialized materials, designed to reflect as much heat as possible and dissipate the heat that does penetrate.
Launched by NASA in 2018, Parker Solar Probe makes history with closest pass to the Sun than any spacecraft has ever seen before. Named after astrophysicist Eugene Parker, the probe is designed to unravel the mysteries of our star, from the solar corona to the solar wind.
A Journey Through Fire
To withstand the extreme temperatures of the solar corona, Parker Probe is equipped with a 11.43-centimeter-thick carbon-carbon heat shield. This shield protects it from high temperatures, allowing scientific instruments to collect valuable data. As it approaches the Sun, the probe orbits at incredible speeds, outpacing any human-made object.

The Parker Solar Probe's Epic Journey to the Sun
Photo: NASA
Groundbreaking discoveries
The data sent back by the Parker Probe are already revolutionizing our understanding of the Sun. Some of the most important discoveries include:
Zones without solar wind: The probe has found regions in the solar corona where the solar wind slows down and becomes turbulent.
Radio waves: High-frequency radio waves have been detected in the solar corona, which could help explain how the solar wind speeds up.
Complex magnetic structure: The probe has revealed a much more complex magnetic structure than previously thought, with rapid and dynamic.
Photo illustration: NASA
During its mission, the probe has managed to get as close as 6.1 million kilometers from the Sun. This is a historic milestone, as no other spacecraft had ever come so close. However, it is important to remember that this is the minimum distance and that the probe moves away from and approaches the Sun with each orbit.
Why is this mission important?
The Sun has a direct impact on life on Earth. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections can affect communication systems, power grids, and satellites. Better understanding the Sun will allow us to predict and mitigate these events, protecting our technology and ourselves.
The future of solar exploration
Parker Solar Probe will continue to send back data for years to come, and is expected to reveal even more secrets about our star. This mission represents a milestone in space exploration and opens new doors for solar research.
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