Parker Solar Probe Captures Closest-Ever Images Of The Sun
Summary
The Parker Solar Probe achieved a historic close approach to the sun, capturing incredibly detailed images of its corona, solar winds, and erupting magnetized gas. These unprecedented views are revolutionizing our understanding of phenomena like coronal mass ejections and the drivers of space weather. The mission aims to fundamentally change solar physics, helping scientists predict severe solar storms and their potential impact on Earth's technology.Episode description
In December, the Parker Solar Probe made history when it made the closest-ever approach to the sun by a spacecraft. As it whizzed by, a camera recorded incredibly detailed images, which show the sun’s surface, the flow of solar winds, and eruptions of magnetized balls of gas. Seeing this activity in such detail could help scientists understand solar weather.
Host Flora Lichtman talks with Parker Solar Probe project scientist Nour Rawafi about what these images show and how the probe could fundamentally change our understanding of the sun.
Guest:
Dr. Nour Rawafi is the Parker Solar Probe project scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland.
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