Sun Ships, Coltrane, and Interstellar Dreams: A Cosmic Musings on Speed and Distance

Inspired by John Coltrane's album *Sun Ship*, the author connects the Parker Solar Probe's incredible speed with interstellar travel. The article compares the speeds of Apollo 10, Voyager 1, and New Horizons, highlighting Parker's record-breaking velocity at perihelion. It delves into the timescales involved in interstellar journeys, drawing parallels to the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu's 'solar boat', bridging ancient cosmic perspectives with modern technological exploration. The piece concludes with a hopeful vision of interstellar flight and the need for long-term technological breakthroughs.