NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completes 18th close approach to the Sun

On December 28, 2023, NASA's Parker Solar Probe - the first spacecraft to fly through the Sun's corona - completed its 18th close approach to the Sun. During this close flyby, the spacecraft matched its own distance and speed record by skimming about 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface.

The close approach, called perihelion, occurred at 7:56 p.m. EST as the spacecraft whizzed around the Sun at an astonishing speed of 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour). The milestone also marked the midway point in the mission's 18th solar encounter, which began December 24, 2023, and continued through January 2, 2024, NASA said on Monday.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe, launched on August 12, 2018, provides invaluable data and insights into the Sun's dynamics. By withstanding the extreme conditions near our life-giving star, the spacecraft plays a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the Sun and its impact on space weather.

At its closest approach, the spacecraft will come within about 3.9 million miles (6.2 million kilometers) of the Sun.

Parker Solar Probe just completed its 18th close approach of the Sun, coming within 4.51 million miles from the solar surface!Parker helps us study the solar wind as it launches off the Sun, so we can understand how it affects us on Earth. Read more: https://t.co/Si0qiqge5B pic.twitter.com/C6rlMZDtYh

— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) January 8, 2024