Get ready for an incredible astronomical event: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe will embark on an epic sun flyby on Christmas Eve, offering astronomers the closest ever look at our star. Here’s everything you need to know about this historic encounter.
Mission Overview
The Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, is designed to explore the sun’s corona, the outer layer of the star. On December 24, the spacecraft will pass within 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface, moving at an astounding speed of 430,000 mph. This flyby marks the final trial of the probe, which has completed numerous close encounters with the sun and seven flybys of Venus to fine-tune its trajectory.
“No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” said Nick Pinkine, mission operations manager at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL). “We’re excited to hear back from the spacecraft when it swings back around the sun.”
When Will the Parker Solar Probe Fly Through the Sun?
The Christmas Eve flyby is scheduled for December 24 at 6:53 a.m. EST (1153 GMT). During this encounter, the spacecraft will be positioned as close as 3.8 million miles from the sun, deeper into the star’s corona than any other spacecraft has ever ventured. This close approach provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the sun’s atmosphere.
Can I Watch the Parker Solar Probe Sun Flyby Online?
(Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center)
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to watch the Parker Solar Probe’s sun flyby live online. Unlike other space missions, this event won’t be webcast or livestreamed in real time. However, NASA and the Parker Solar Probe mission team will provide updates on the spacecraft’s status through various online platforms.
Follow the mission’s progress on NASA’s Parker Solar Probe mission blog or NASA’s mission website. The JHUAPL Parker Solar Probe site and @NASASun X page are also great sources for updates and information.
You can also track the spacecraft’s progress online using NASA’s Eyes On The Solar System Parker Solar Probe page, which allows you to follow the spacecraft and see its position in real time.
How Hot Will Parker Solar Probe Get?
Despite the extreme temperatures near the sun, the Parker Solar Probe is equipped to resist the intense heat. During its December 24 flyby, the spacecraft is expected to face temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (980 degrees Celsius) in its sun-facing side.
The spacecraft is protected by a heat shield that is 8 feet wide and 4.5 inches thick. This carbon foam shield can withstand temperatures as high as 2,500 F (1,377 C). Inside the shield, the spacecraft’s internal components and instruments remain at almost room temperature, ensuring they can function optimally.
Duration of the Sun Flyby
(Image credit: Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben/NASA)
The actual encounter with the sun will last over a week for the mission team. On December 20, the Parker Solar Probe transmitted its final signal to Earth, indicating it was beginning the flyby. Mission controllers won’t hear from the spacecraft again until December 27, after the encounter.
On Christmas Eve, the flyby will take place as planned, with the spacecraft executing its programmed actions. Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe program scientist at NASA Headquarters, anticipates the mission team will share a statement or video marking the event.
By December 27, the mission team expects to receive the first signal from the spacecraft, confirming it survived the flyby. Detailed science data will be downloaded in late January 2025.
What Happens Next?
While December 24 marks one of the closest sun flybys, it won’t be the last for the Parker Solar Probe. The mission is designed to make at least 24 close encounters with the sun, and this flyby is the 22nd of its primary mission.
Following this event, the spacecraft is scheduled for two more sun flybys in March 2025 and June 2025. These flybys will bring the spacecraft back to similar distances as the December 24 encounter.
“The spacecraft will remain in this orbit for the remainder of its primary mission, completing two more perihelia at about the same distance and speed — a record 430,000 miles per hour — in March and June 2025,” JHUAPL officials stated. “After that, the team will decide whether to keep the spacecraft in that orbit or reposition it.”
Join the excitement and stay informed about this groundbreaking mission by following NASA’s updates and subscribing to our newsletter. Let’s explore the mysteries of the sun together!
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