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Spacecraft Attempts Closest Ever Approach to Sun
BBC ^ | 12/6 | Rebecca Morelle, Alison Francis

Posted on 12/23/2024 10:27:50 PM PST by nickcarraway

A Nasa spacecraft is attempting to make history with the closest ever approach to the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe is plunging into our star's outer atmosphere, enduring brutal temperatures and extreme radiation.

It's out of communication for several days during this burning hot fly-by and scientists will be waiting for a signal, expected on 27 December, to see if it has survived.

The hope is the probe could help us to better understand how the Sun works. Dr Nicola Fox, head of science at Nasa, told BBC News: "For centuries, people have studied the Sun, but you don't experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go visit it "And so we can't really experience the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it."

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 12/23/2024 10:27:50 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Smart to go in winter, the sun will be colder.


2 posted on 12/23/2024 10:32:12 PM PST by LukeL
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To: nickcarraway

“It’s out of communication for several days during this burning hot fly-by and scientists will be waiting for a signal, expected on 27 December, to see if it has survived.”

Just do the flyby at night. Problem solved! :^)


3 posted on 12/23/2024 10:32:16 PM PST by mkmensinger
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To: LukeL

They should also go at night. 😁


4 posted on 12/23/2024 10:40:02 PM PST by Right Brother
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To: nickcarraway

Perhaps they should have called it ‘The Icarus’.


5 posted on 12/23/2024 10:45:56 PM PST by A Formerly Proud Canadian ( Ceterum autem censeo Justinius True-dope-us esse delendam. sic semper tyrannis.)
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To: nickcarraway

6 posted on 12/23/2024 11:07:31 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Day's of Lot; They id Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: nickcarraway
"And so we can't really experience the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it."

I suspect they will experience heat; lots and lots of heat. Hell, I live in Texas and that's close enough to the sun for me.

7 posted on 12/23/2024 11:10:52 PM PST by Nachoman (Proudly oppressing people of color since 1957.)
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To: nickcarraway

Pink Floyd - Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RbXIMZmVv8


8 posted on 12/23/2024 11:22:46 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Right Brother

They should also go at night. 😁


And wear Sunglasses.


9 posted on 12/23/2024 11:24:24 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

1984 - it would be best if I can land in 1975, please

1984 is a few years late though I could still avoid a few things

if I can speak with myself earlier that year

Still, set the DeLorean for 1975 (forget that nobody will know what kind of car that it is - maybe they’ll think it’s a silver Bricklin)


10 posted on 12/23/2024 11:31:15 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Day's of Lot; They id Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: dfwgator

11 posted on 12/23/2024 11:32:02 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the Day's of Lot; They id Eat, They Drank, They Bought, They Sold ......)
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To: dfwgator

12 posted on 12/23/2024 11:32:57 PM PST by A Formerly Proud Canadian ( Ceterum autem censeo Justinius True-dope-us esse delendam. sic semper tyrannis.)
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To: SaveFerris; LukeL

Does the sun have a south pole and a north pole? What is the ice cover like this time of year?


13 posted on 12/24/2024 12:44:54 AM PST by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: nickcarraway

AOC should have told them to land at night, when the sun is much, much cooler.


14 posted on 12/24/2024 12:59:29 AM PST by Ikeon ( Why don't they, do what they say? Say what they mean? One thing leads to another. )
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To: dfwgator
..."help us to better understand how the Sun works.."

I learned that in 6th grade science class back in 1950. Call Musk and....the other guy."

15 posted on 12/24/2024 1:41:45 AM PST by mosaicwolf
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To: LukeL

“Smart to go in winter, the sun will be colder.”

They could also approach from the sun’s dark side.


16 posted on 12/24/2024 2:20:39 AM PST by Zack Attack (✔)
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To: nickcarraway

The Parker Solar Probe has been performing gravity assist maneuvers, and is up to, about, 400,000mph. It has been getting closer and closer to our Sun. When we build them right, we sure build them right. The two solar-powered Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity were ‘designed’ to last 3 months. One of them lasted just a tad longer, 13 years. There are now two SUV-size rovers on Mars. One has been exploring for over 10 years. Both have nuclear instead of solar power. Their wheels will probably wear out before the power runs out. A few years ago, the New Horizons probe traveled close to Pluto, and provided amazing photos and years of data. New Horizons was then able to examine stuff out past Pluto. The Europa Clipper is on its way to the Jupiter system.

With the next four years of the President Trump Administration, look forward to much more.


17 posted on 12/24/2024 2:23:17 AM PST by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try)
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To: nickcarraway
These help a lot -


18 posted on 12/24/2024 2:36:02 AM PST by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: nickcarraway

you don’t experience the atmosphere of a place until you actually go visit it

What do you really expect to find out except that its hot?

Its not like a trip to Rome to experience the culture...

I am of 2 minds when it comes to spending these millions for danged little gain. There’s the “oh wow...thats coo;” me and the “You remember you have 2 astronauts stuck somewhere, right?” me.


19 posted on 12/24/2024 3:18:02 AM PST by Adder (End fascism...defeat all Democrats.)
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To: nickcarraway

WOW what a goal!!!

What incredibly STUPID maniac is going to volunteer for THAT assignment?


20 posted on 12/24/2024 3:29:42 AM PST by Maris Crane
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