NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Completes Final Venus Flyby Ahead of Historic Sun Encounter
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has completed its final flyby of Venus, setting it on a path to reach within 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface, closer than any spacecraft before. Using gravity assists from Venus, the probe has reduced its orbital energy to study the sun’s mysteries, such as the extreme temperatures of the corona. Its closest approach, scheduled for Christmas Eve, will push the limits of solar exploration, with mission control awaiting a signal on Dec. 27 to confirm its success.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, has completed its seventh and final flyby of Venus, positioning it to come within 3.8 million miles of the sun — closer than any previous human-made object. This milestone, hailed by project scientist Nour Raouafi as comparable to the 1969 moon landing, will bring the probe nearer to the sun’s surface to study solar mysteries, such as why the corona is far hotter than the surface.
Gravity assists from Venus have been crucial for Parker’s approach, reducing its orbital energy and allowing closer solar orbits. Beyond its primary mission, the probe’s Venus flybys have offered unexpected scientific insights, including revealing surface details through thick clouds with its WISPR camera in 2020.
On Christmas Eve, the probe will make its historic closest pass, traveling at 430,000 miles per hour. Communication will temporarily halt, and mission control will listen for a beacon tone on Dec. 27 to confirm its successful approach. Parker’s journey promises to unlock secrets of the sun, advancing our understanding of the solar system’s powerhouse.
Stay Updated!
Join our WhatsApp Channel for the latest updates, exclusive content, and more! Click the link below to join now:
👉 Join Our WhatsApp Channel