Parker [Solar Probe] makes 28th close fly-by of the Sun

Behind The Black ^ | Robert Zimmerman

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

The Parker Solar Probe this past week successfully completed its 28th close fly-by of the Sun, zipping past its surface at a distance of only 3.8 million miles.

During this solar encounter, which started June 3 and ends Saturday, June 13, Parker’s four scientific instrument packages gathered data from inside the Sun’s atmosphere, or corona. Parker will begin returning detailed spacecraft telemetry on June 14, with science data transmission set to run from Wednesday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 30.

…Parker also equaled its record-setting speed of 430,000 mph — a mark that, like Parker’s distance to the Sun, was set during a close approach on Dec. 24, 2024, and matched during five flybys since, most recently on March 11. Parker will continue matching these speed and distance records during future flybys.

---

TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS:

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

Engineers estimate the spacecraft’s heat shield experiences temperatures exceeding 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit with each close pass.

With each pass the spacecraft dives deep into the Sun’s corona and gathers data about it unobtainable from a distance. It is also gathering that data over time, as it first arrived in 2018, when the Sun was at its solar minimum with little sunspot activity. Since then it has ramped up to maximum and is presently thought to be on its way back down to minimum (though this still remains uncertain). Parker’s ability to gather data cross this timeline is invaluable for gaining a better understanding of the Sun’s behavior.

The first time the Parker Space Probe reached 430,000 MPH, I immediately thought of Space Truckin' by Deep Purple.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hHOrpFeXUao

[sjmjax]

At 430,000 mph, I can’t imagine why the impact of an even tiny particle would have on the craft.

Going to need some “Star Trek” type shields!

[fwdude]

“...zipping past its surface at a distance of only 3.8 million miles.”

How do they define “surface” for a ball of fire?

[RandallFlagg]

Engineers estimate the spacecraft’s heat shield experiences temperatures exceeding 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit with each close pass.

Ahhh. The equivalent of my putting my face with an unlit cigarette in my mouth to an electric stovetop to light it back in 1983.
Those were the days...

[fidelis]

Engineers estimate the spacecraft’s heat shield experiences temperatures exceeding 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit with each close pass.

They should schedule their fly-bys at night when it's a lot cooler.