NASA’s Parker spacecraft makes first close approach to sun
Associated Press
Published:
November 6, 2018
Updated:
November 6, 2018 1:21 PM EST
In this July 6, 2018 file photo, NASA's Parker Solar Probe sits in a clean room at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., after the installation of its heat shield. Ed Whitman / AP
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A NASA spacecraft has made its first close approach to the sun, just 2 1/2 months after liftoff.
The Parker Solar Probe flew within 15 million miles (24 million kilometres) of the sun’s surface Monday night. Its speed topped 213,000 mph (342,000 kph) relative to the sun, as it penetrated the outer solar atmosphere, or corona.
No spacecraft has ever gotten so close to our star.
NASA won’t re-establish contact until Parker is far enough from the sun to avoid radio interference. NASA’s Nicola Fox says scientists “can’t wait to get the data.” The observations could unlock some of the sun’s mysteries.
Assuming it survives the harsh solar environment, the spacecraft will make 23 even closer approaches over the next seven years. The next is in April.
Japanese billionaire named SpaceX’s first moon tourist
Kepler telescope dead after finding thousands of worlds
Europe, Japan send spacecraft on 7-year journey to Mercury
http://torontosun.com/technology/nasas-parker-spacecraft-makes-1st-close-approach-to-sun
Associated Press
Published:
November 6, 2018
Updated:
November 6, 2018 1:21 PM EST
In this July 6, 2018 file photo, NASA's Parker Solar Probe sits in a clean room at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., after the installation of its heat shield. Ed Whitman / AP
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A NASA spacecraft has made its first close approach to the sun, just 2 1/2 months after liftoff.
The Parker Solar Probe flew within 15 million miles (24 million kilometres) of the sun’s surface Monday night. Its speed topped 213,000 mph (342,000 kph) relative to the sun, as it penetrated the outer solar atmosphere, or corona.
No spacecraft has ever gotten so close to our star.
NASA won’t re-establish contact until Parker is far enough from the sun to avoid radio interference. NASA’s Nicola Fox says scientists “can’t wait to get the data.” The observations could unlock some of the sun’s mysteries.
Assuming it survives the harsh solar environment, the spacecraft will make 23 even closer approaches over the next seven years. The next is in April.
Japanese billionaire named SpaceX’s first moon tourist
Kepler telescope dead after finding thousands of worlds
Europe, Japan send spacecraft on 7-year journey to Mercury
http://torontosun.com/technology/nasas-parker-spacecraft-makes-1st-close-approach-to-sun
