NASA Probe , Makes Historic Pass , Through the Sun's Atmosphere.
NPR reports that after 3 years of traveling through space, the Parker Solar Probe has finally reached the sun.
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On December 14, NASA announced that the probe became the first spacecraft to fly into the sun's upper atmosphere, known as the corona.
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On December 14, NASA announced that the probe became the first spacecraft to fly into the sun's upper atmosphere, known as the corona.
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According to NASA, while the probe flew through the corona it sampled particles and magnetic fields.
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Not only does this milestone provide us with deeper insights into our Sun's evolution and [its] impacts on our solar system, but everything we learn about our own star also teaches us more about stars in the rest of the universe, Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, via NPR.
Officials say the mission into the sun's atmosphere is intended to produce discoveries that were previously impossible.
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NASA scientists have already concluded that some magnetic zigzags in the solar wind originate on the surface of the star.
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The team also found that those solar winds have an effect on conditions here on Earth.
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According to NASA, the Parker probe's first pass through the corona was just one of many planned for the mission.
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The next flyby is reportedly scheduled to take place in January.
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According to NPR, the solar probe, which can get as close as 6.5 million miles to the sun, was built to withstand temperatures over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit
