Latest news with #Wide-FieldImagerforSolarProbe
India Today
a day ago
- Science
- India Today
This is the closest ever image of the Sun. You can clearly see the solar wind
In a historic achievement for solar science, NASA has released the closest-ever images of the Sun, captured by the Parker Solar Probe during its record-breaking approach in December probe flew just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface, skimming through the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, and offering humanity an unprecedented view into the heart of our solar system's its Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR), Parker Solar Probe delivered detailed images of the corona and the solar wind, a continuous stream of electrically charged particles that emanates from the Sun and influences the entire solar SOLAR WIND COMING FROM THE SUN These images allow scientists to observe, for the first time, the dynamic processes at the very source of space weather events that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications on Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, emphasised the significance and said, 'We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models. This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.'Unraveling the Mysteries of Solar WindThe newly released WISPR images reveal the turbulent boundary where the Sun's magnetic field flips direction, known as the heliospheric current the first time, scientists observed multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—massive bursts of charged particles—colliding and merging in high resolution, a process that can intensify the effects of space weather on Earth. Angelos Vourlidas, WISPR instrument scientist, noted, 'We're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another which can be important for space weather.'Zooming in on Solar Wind's BirthplaceParker Solar Probe's close passes have revolutionised our understanding of the solar wind's origins. The probe confirmed that the fast solar wind is powered by magnetic 'switchbacks'—zigzagging fields—originating in coronal holes, while the slow solar wind, denser and more variable, may stem from large magnetic loops called helmet probe also distinguished two types of slow solar wind:Alfvenic: Characterised by small-scale switchbacks, likely from coronal Lacking these variations, possibly from helmet AheadWith its next close approach scheduled for September 2025, Parker Solar Probe continues to gather data that promises to deepen our understanding of the Sun's influence on space weather and, ultimately, life on Nour Rawafi, project scientist, put it, 'With Parker Solar Probe, we're closer than ever to uncovering [the solar wind's] origins and how they evolve.'- Ends
Engadget
a day ago
- Science
- Engadget
These are the closest-ever images of the sun from Parker Solar Probe's historic flyby
These are the closest-ever images of the sun from Parker Solar Probe's historic flyby NASA's Parker Solar Probe made history with the closest-ever approach to the sun last December, and we're finally getting a look at some of the images it captured. The space agency released a timelapse of observations made using Parker's Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR) while it passed through the sun's corona on December 25, 2024, revealing up close how solar wind acts soon after it's released. The probe captured these images at just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface. To put that into perspective, a NASA video explains, "If Earth and the sun were one foot apart, Parker Solar Probe was about half an inch from the sun." The probe got an unprecedented view of solar wind and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) during the approach, which could be invaluable for our understanding of space weather. "We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models," said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters. After completing its December flyby, the Parker Solar Probe matched its record distance from the surface in subsequent approaches in March and June. It'll make its next pass on September 15.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
The Parker Solar probe captures closest-ever images of the Sun. See the results.
Newly released imagery from NASA shows the Sun's corona in stunning detail after the Parker Solar probe performed its closest-ever flyby. On its closest-ever flyby to the Sun, NASA's Parker Solar probe captured newly released images of solar winds purging out from the Sun's outermost atmosphere, the Corona. Scientists are learning more about the Sun's impact throughout the solar system, including events that may have an impact on Earth. 'Parker Solar Probe has once again transported us into the dynamic atmosphere of our closest star,' said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington in a recent release. 'We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models. This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.' Sun's solar wind captured in detail For the first time, the probe recorded in high resolution the collision of numerous coronal mass ejections (or CMEs) which are massive explosions of charged particles that play a major role in space weather. 'In these images, we're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another,' said Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR instrument scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which designed, built, and operates the spacecraft in Laurel, Maryland. 'We're using this to figure out how the CMEs merge together, which can be important for space weather.' Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. The Parker Solar Probe discovered that while the solar wind is a steady breeze near Earth, it is anything but at the Sun. The spacecraft experienced switchbacks, or zigzag magnetic fields, when it got within 14.7 million miles of the Sun. Scientists found that these switchbacks, which occurred in clusters, were more frequent than anticipated using data from the Parker Solar Probe. How close was the probe to the sun? On December 24, 2024, the Parker Solar Probe began its closest approach to the Sun, traveling only 3.8 million miles from the solar surface. Putting that into perspective, if the Earth and Sun were only 1 foot apart, the Parker probe would be about a 1/2 inch from the Sun's surface, according to NASA. In the spacecraft's closest orbit to the Sun, it used a variety of scientific instruments, including the Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (or WISPR) to gather data as it passed through the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. The solar wind, a continuous flow of electrically charged particles from the Sun that rages throughout the solar system and the corona are both visible in the new WISPR photos. Knowing the origins of the solar wind near the Sun is the first step towards comprehending its effects, according to NASA. More: James Webb Space Telescope marks 3rd anniversary: What to know about observatory More: NASA astronaut captures rare phenomenon from 250 miles above Earth: See photo of 'sprite' How the Sun's solar winds impact Earth's atmosphere The Earth's magnetic field is our invisible protector. The field creates a barrier that shields us from the powerful solar winds. The magnetic field can occasionally become disrupted by stronger solar winds. According to NASA, in some cases, it can also trigger space weather events that interfere with everything from land-based power networks to ship communications on our oceans to our satellites in orbit. Stunning auroras are also created when the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field. Parker Solar Probe is expected to continue gathering more data in its present orbit as it makes future passes through the corona to assist scientists to discover the origins of the sluggish solar wind. The next pass is scheduled for September 15, 2025. SOURCE NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Johns Hopkins APL, Naval Research Laboratory and USA TODAY research
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
What happens near the Sun? NASA's Parker probe sends closest-ever photos of the Sun, unveils space weather origins
TIL Creatives During its first perihelion on October 29, 2018, NASA's Parker Solar Probe passed within 26.55 million miles (approximately 42.7 million kilometers) of the Sun, setting a new record as the closest-ever human-made object to the Sun. (Representative Image) NASA has released the closest photos ever taken of the Sun, captured by the Parker Solar Probe during a record-breaking flyby in December 2024. The images show the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind in stunning detail. It will help scientists better understand the forces that shape space weather. Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe was designed to study the Sun's corona. On Christmas Eve last year, it flew just 3.8 million miles from the Sun's surface, the closest any spacecraft has ever been. The images were taken using a specialized camera system known as the Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR). Also Read: Cheaper than eggs, healthier than meat; the superfood that could save your health and the planet, and we are skipping it'These photos take us into the dynamic atmosphere of our closest star,' said Nicky Fox, a senior NASA science official. 'We're seeing where space weather begins, not through models, but with our own eyes.' The images reveal powerful solar activity, including coronal mass ejections (CMEs), huge bursts of solar material, and magnetic fields. For the first time, scientists observed multiple CMEs colliding in high resolution. 'We're watching CMEs pile up on each other,' said Angelos Vourlidas, a scientist at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which built and operates the probe. 'This helps us learn how they merge and how that affects space weather.'Watch: Such solar events can cause beautiful auroras on Earth, but they also pose risks to satellites, power grids, and even astronauts in space. The WISPR images also show the heliospheric current sheet, a region where the Sun's magnetic field flips direction. Understanding this region is key to explaining the solar wind, a steady stream of charged particles from the Sun that affects the entire solar system.'The solar wind, especially the slow stream, is still a mystery,' said Nour Rawafi, Parker's project scientist. 'But this probe is helping us get closer to the answers.'Since its launch, the Parker Solar Probe has steadily broken its own distance records. It first became the closest human-made object to the Sun in 2018. Each pass provides more insights into the Sun's magnetic field, surface activity, and next flyby is scheduled for September 15, 2025. Scientists hope it will unlock more clues about the origins and behavior of the Sun's powerful outflows.
