Revealing new science from NASA's Mission to Touch the Sun

Sun Touch Mission

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Description on mission to touch the sun

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The mission to touch the sun is an ambitious scientific endeavor aimed at studying the outermost layer of the Sun, known as the solar corona. The primary objective is to gather crucial data about the Sun's atmosphere and its impact on space weather, which can have significant effects on Earth's technological infrastructure.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is the spacecraft designed to carry out this historic mission. Launched in August 2018, the probe uses multiple gravity-assist flybys of Venus to gradually bring itself closer to the Sun. As it orbits the Sun, the probe will face extreme heat and radiation, protected by a specialized heat shield capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1,377 degrees Celsius).

The Parker Solar Probe's close proximity to the Sun allows it to capture valuable observations, such as solar wind speed, temperature, and magnetic fields. These measurements will help scientists enhance their understanding of solar phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and how they impact our planet.

The mission's success not only expands our knowledge of the Sun's behavior but also aids in improving space weather forecasting, which is essential for safeguarding satellites, power grids, and communication systems from potential disruptions caused by solar activity.

Keep in mind that my knowledge is up to date only until September 2021, so there might have been further developments in the mission since then.