NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Completes 20th Close Approach to the Sun

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has successfully completed its 20th close approach to the Sun, reaching a distance of approximately 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface. This milestone matches the probe’s previous record for the closest distance to the Sun.

The perihelion, or closest approach, occurred at 3:47 UTC (11:47 p.m. EDT on June 29), with Parker Solar Probe traveling at an astonishing speed of 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour) around the Sun. This speed also matches the probe’s own record for the fastest human-made object.

Following the close approach, the spacecraft successfully communicated with mission operators at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, on July 2. The beacon tone received indicated that the spacecraft was in good health and all systems were functioning normally. The APL is not only where the spacecraft was designed and built but also where it continues to be monitored and operated.

This significant event marks the midpoint of the mission’s 20th solar encounter, which began on June 25 and will continue through July 5. The Parker Solar Probe's primary mission is to study the outer corona of the Sun and understand the solar wind and its impact on the solar system.

Looking ahead, Parker Solar Probe is scheduled to make another close approach at the same distance and speed on September 30. However, the probe’s journey is set to become even more remarkable. On December 24, following a final Venus gravity assist-flyby on November 6, the spacecraft will approach the Sun at a record-breaking distance of just 3.8 million miles. At this point, Parker will be traveling at approximately 430,000 miles per hour, making it the fastest human-made object ever.

These close approaches are critical for gathering unprecedented data on the Sun’s corona and solar wind, helping scientists to better understand solar dynamics and improve space weather forecasting.

The Parker Solar Probe mission, launched in 2018, is a testament to human ingenuity and the drive to explore the unknown reaches of our solar system.

As Parker continues its journey, each perihelion brings new insights and discoveries, shedding light on the mysteries of our closest star and contributing invaluable knowledge to the field of heliophysics.