On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe achieved an unprecedented milestone by flying closer to the sun than any spacecraft in history. This groundbreaking event saw the probe venture within a mere 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of our star, withstanding the extreme temperatures of the solar corona.

This remarkable flyby, officially occurring at 6:53 a.m. EST (1153 GMT), marked the Parker Solar Probe’s 22nd close encounter with the sun. While it is set to make at least two more approaches, this Christmas Eve event is the closest it will ever come to the sun. Interestingly, NASA temporarily lost contact with the probe during this pass, and confirmation of its survival is expected on December 27.

The Parker Solar Probe is no stranger to breaking records. Earlier, on September 21, 2023, it achieved speeds of 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour), earning the title of the fastest human-made object to date. During its latest passage, the probe was likely traveling at an astonishing 430,000 mph (692,000 kph), which is approximately 300 times faster than the top speed of a Lockheed Martin fighter jet!

This remarkable velocity was facilitated by seven gravity assists from Venus, with the last boost occurring in November 2024.

The Core Mission: Unlocking Solar Mysteries

However, the Parker Solar Probe’s record-breaking feats are just a bonus to its primary mission: understanding the sun more deeply. The spacecraft is designed to withstand scorching temperatures reaching 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (980 degrees Celsius) while gathering critical data about the solar corona.

Scientists are particularly eager to address the long-standing “coronal heating problem.” Despite the corona being located further from the sun’s core—the primary source of thermal energy—it reaches temperatures exceeding 2 million degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 million degrees Celsius). In stark contrast, the photosphere, merely 1,000 miles closer to the core, only reaches temperatures around 7,400 degrees Fahrenheit (4,100 degrees Celsius). This phenomenon raises a puzzling question: What additional mechanisms are at play in heating the corona?

Parker’s upcoming missions are crucial in aiding scientists to decipher this solar enigma. The spacecraft is scheduled to make its next flyby on March 22, 2025, followed by its final approach on June 19, 2025. During these flybys, Parker is expected to come within striking distance of the sun again, potentially uncovering secrets that have eluded researchers for decades.

Stay tuned as the Parker Solar Probe continues its thrilling journey through the solar system, bringing us one step closer to uncovering the mysteries of our sun!