NASA spacecraft attempts to get very close to the sun at 430,000 miles per hour, and scientists are worried
Parker Solar Probe is heading towards the outer atmosphere of the sun, enduring extremely high temperatures and intense radiation
Rebecca Morrell, Alison Francis
Post, BBC News
December 25, 2024
Pros of the NASA Spacecraft's Close Approach to the Sun:
1. Unprecedented Scientific Data:
The spacecraft's close proximity allows scientists to study the Sun's corona, magnetic fields, and solar wind in detail, providing insights into how the Sun influences the solar system.
2. Technological Advancements:
Successfully operating a spacecraft near the Sun demonstrates engineering excellence, particularly in heat-resistant materials and spacecraft shielding.
3. Improved Space Weather Predictions:
Better understanding of solar storms could help protect satellites, power grids, and astronauts from harmful effects of space weather.
4. Astronomical Milestone:
Setting a record for the fastest human-made object (430,000 mph) is a significant achievement in space exploration.
5. Inspirational Value:
Such missions inspire public interest and excitement in science and space exploration.
Cons of the NASA Spacecraft's Close Approach to the Sun:
1. High Risk of Failure:
Extreme heat and radiation levels pose a significant risk of damage to the spacecraft, potentially leading to mission failure.
2. Limited Recovery Options:
If the spacecraft malfunctions, it cannot be repaired due to the challenging conditions near the Sun.
3. Costly Endeavor:
The mission's budget is substantial, and any failure could result in criticism over resource allocation.
4. Potential Data Gaps:
High radiation levels may interfere with the spacecraft's instruments, reducing the quality of the data collected.
5. Safety Concerns:
While unlikely, solar activities influenced by the spacecraft's presence (e.g., solar flares) could have unforeseen effects on Earth or nearby satellites.
A NASA spacecraft is trying to make history by getting very close to the sun.
This spacecraft called ‘Parker Solar Probe’ is continuously moving towards the outer atmosphere of the sun, enduring extremely high temperatures and immense radiation emitted by the sun.
Due to the severe weather conditions and temperatures very close to the sun, the spacecraft has not been able to contact the Earth for the past several days and scientists are currently waiting for the signal received from this mission. Scientists expect this signal to be received on December 27.
This signal will show whether the mission has been able to overcome the most difficult stages required to get very close to the sun or not.
The mission will also help scientists learn how the sun actually works.
Dr Nicola Fox, head of science at NASA, told the BBC that "people have been studying the sun for centuries, but you can't really experience an atmosphere until you go there yourself."
He added that "we can't experience the sun's atmosphere until we get very close to it."
This NASA space mission is trying to make history by getting very close to the Sun.
The Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 and has been hurtling towards the centre of our solar system ever since.
It has already passed the sun 21 times and is getting closer to it with each pass. However, this record for closest approach to the sun could be broken on the evening of December 25.
The mission is currently 3.8 million miles (6.2 million kilometres) from the sun’s surface.
This distance may not seem that close to the sun to you, but Nicola Fox explains that “we are 93 million miles from the sun, so if we put the sun and the Earth one metre apart, Parker Solar Probe is currently only four centimetres from the sun. That’s incredibly close.”
The Parker Solar Probe will have to endure temperatures of 1,400 degrees Celsius and intense radiation that could burn out the electronics on the spacecraft.
The spacecraft is protected by a 11.5 cm (4.5 in) thick carbon shield and is capable of rapid entry and exit.
The spacecraft travels faster than anything ever built by humans, reaching speeds of 430,000 miles per hour, equivalent to flying from London to New York in less than 30 seconds.
So why all the effort to ‘touch’ the sun?
Scientists hope that when this space mission passes through the sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, it will solve a long-standing mystery.
“The corona (the sun’s outer atmosphere) is very hot, but we don’t know why it is so hot,” says Dr. Jennifer Millard, an astronomer associated with Fifth Lab Stars.
“The temperature at the surface of the sun is 6,000 degrees Celsius, but its outer atmosphere, which you see during a solar eclipse, reaches millions of degrees. So the question is, how does the sun’s atmosphere get so hot?”
The mission will also help scientists better understand the solar wind. This wind is created by charged particles escaping from the corona.
When these particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, the sky lights up.
But this so-called space weather also causes problems, such as damage to power grids, electronics and communication systems.
“Understanding the sun, its activity, its weather, its solar wind, these are all very important for our daily lives on Earth,” says Dr. Jennifer Millard.
Scientists hope the space mission will solve a long-standing mystery
NASA scientists are anxiously awaiting the moment when the spacecraft is currently out of contact with Earth.
Nicola Fox says that as soon as the signal is received, her team will send her a green heart in a text message to let her know that the mission is working properly.
Nicola Fox admits that she is nervous about this very brave endeavor but is confident in the progress that will be made.
'I will be worried about the spacecraft but we have built it with all the harshest conditions in mind. This little spacecraft is very tough.'
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#Science #Astronomy #Space_exploration
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