Parker Solar Probe Makes History with Closest-Ever Approach to the Sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe made history on Christmas Eve, achieving an unprecedented close approach to the Sun at a distance of 3.8 million miles. After its close encounter on December 24th, the probe successfully sent a beacon signal back to Earth on December 26th, confirming its good health. This close-up study provides invaluable data for scientists to unravel mysteries surrounding the Sun, including how solar material is heated to millions of degrees, the origin of the solar wind, and the acceleration of energetic particles. Detailed telemetry data is expected on January 1st.