Key insights

• ⭐ Parker Solar Probe named after Eugene Parker, Explores the sun and solar wind phenomenon, Aims to confirm solar wind impact on planets
• 🚀 Parker Solar Probe made the closest approach to the Sun, Reached a speed of 430,000 Mph, Speed is 61 100ths of 1% of the speed of light, Purpose is to make measurements of the Sun
• ☀️ Solar storms release particles heating the sun's outer atmosphere called the corona, The corona is visible during a total solar eclipse and is much hotter than the sun's surface, It is sparsely populated by gas molecules and remains a bit mysterious, Being in the corona might be survivable despite its high temperature
• 🔥 Parker Solar Probe shielded by carbon composite shield with high melting point, Shield protects probe from Sun's radiant heat, Probe measures magnetic field, particle flux, and heating mechanism for the corona
• 📷 Parker Solar Probe will be at a distance of five solar diameters from the Sun's surface, It carries a memory card with a photo of Eugene Parker and 1.1 million people's names, Eugene Parker's original paper published in 1958 is also on the memory card, The probe is part of the Sun's atmospheric structure and shape
• 🌐 Studying the sun's 11 and 22-year cycle is important for understanding space weather., Solar explosions can threaten our orbiting satellites., Understanding space weather generated by the sun is crucial for our economy and national security.

Q&A

• What are the implications of studying the sun's cycle?

  Studying the sun's 11 and 22-year cycle is crucial for understanding space weather, which can threaten our orbiting satellites. Given our dependence on space assets for our modern economy and national security, understanding and predicting solar activity is of significant importance.

• Will the Parker Solar Probe touch the surface of the Sun?

  The probe will not touch the surface of the Sun; it will be at a distance of five solar diameters from the Sun's surface. Additionally, it carries a memory card with a photo of Eugene Parker, 1.1 million people's names, and Parker's original 1958 paper.

• How is the Parker Solar Probe shielded from the Sun's heat?

  The probe is shielded by a carbon composite shield with the highest melting point on the periodic table. This shield protects it from the Sun's radiant heat, allowing it to make close-up measurements of the Sun's outer atmosphere.

• What is the significance of the sun's corona?

  The corona, visible during a total solar eclipse, is much hotter than the Sun's surface and consists of sparsely populated gas molecules. Despite its high temperature, being in the corona might be survivable. Understanding its heating process is one of the key objectives of the Parker Solar Probe mission.

• How close did the Parker Solar Probe get to the Sun? How fast did it travel?

  The Parker Solar Probe made its closest approach to the Sun, reaching a speed of 430,000 miles per hour. This speed is approximately 61 100ths of 1% of the speed of light, allowing it to gather data while in close proximity to the Sun.

• What is the purpose of the Parker Solar Probe?

  The probe's primary purpose is to make close-up measurements of the Sun, including its magnetic field, particle flux, and the heating mechanism for the corona. It aims to confirm the solar wind phenomenon and its impact on planets, including Earth's Aurora.

• Why is it named the Parker Solar Probe?

  The Parker Solar Probe is named after solar physicist Eugene Parker, who proposed the solar wind theory. It honors his significant contribution to solar physics and space exploration.

• What is the Parker Solar Probe?

  The Parker Solar Probe is a spacecraft launched to explore the sun and its solar wind phenomenon. It aims to make measurements of the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

• 00:00 The Parker Solar Probe, named after solar physicist Eugene Parker, was recently launched to explore the sun and its solar wind. It aims to confirm the phenomenon of solar wind and its impact on planets, including Earth's Aurora.
• 01:04 The Parker Solar Probe made the closest approach to the Sun, reaching a speed of 430,000 Mph, which is 61 100ths of 1% of the speed of light. Its purpose is to make measurements of the Sun.
• 02:04 The sun's storms release particles that heat the corona, which is visible during an eclipse. Its high temperature and sparse gas population make it survivable.
• 02:58 The Parker Solar Probe is shielded by a carbon composite shield with the highest melting point on the periodic table to protect it from the Sun's radiant heat and make close-up measurements of the Sun.
• 03:49 The Parker Solar Probe will not touch the surface of the Sun, it will be five solar diameters away. It carries a memory card with a photo of Eugene Parker and 1.1 million people's names.
• 04:43 Studying the sun's cycle is important for understanding space weather and protecting our satellites. Our modern economy and national security depend on space assets, making us particularly susceptible to solar activity.