The high-resolution images from Parker Solar Probe enabled scientists to make precise measurements regarding the speed and size of blobs of material pulled back into the Sun.
On December 24, 2024, Parker Solar Probe observed a CME erupt from the Sun while just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface.
Parker Solar Probe is expected to help in building a comprehensive understanding of the Sun's magnetic fields and their effects.
Parker Solar Probe revealed in December 2024 that not all magnetic material in a coronal mass ejection (CME) escapes the Sun, with some material returning and altering the solar atmosphere.
The project utilized a coordinated multi-spacecraft strategy that included Parker Solar Probe, Solar Orbiter, and NASA's Wind spacecraft.
NASA's Parker Solar Probe is used together with measurements from near-Earth spacecraft to map the Alfven surface.
The new maps were validated using Parker Solar Probe's closest passes through the Sun's atmosphere.
SOHO frequently contributes to multipoint measurements for missions like Solar Orbiter and NASA's Parker Solar Probe.
NASA has previously launched the Parker Solar Probe, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory.
During this solar encounter, Parker Solar Probe's four scientific instrument packages are gathering unique observations from inside the Sun's atmosphere, or corona.
Parker Solar Probe equaled its record-setting speed of 430,000 miles per hour (687,000 km per hour) during the close approach.
Parker Solar Probe was developed as part of NASA's Living With a Star program to explore aspects of the Sun-Earth system.
Parker Solar Probe will begin returning science data from the encounter on Sept. 23.
Parker Solar Probe checked in with flight controllers at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory on Sept. 18, transmitting a beacon tone indicating its systems were operating normally.
This flyby of Parker Solar Probe is the fourth at this distance and speed, allowing the spacecraft to conduct unrivaled measurements of the solar wind and solar activity.
Parker Solar Probe was out of contact with Earth and operating autonomously during its close approach to the Sun.
Parker Solar Probe will remain in orbit around the Sun and continue making observations.
Johns Hopkins APL manages Parker Solar Probe for NASA and designed, built, and operates the mission.
NASA is formally reviewing the next steps for Parker Solar Probe's mission in 2026 and beyond.
Parker Solar Probe's solar encounter began on Sept. 10 and will end on Sept. 20.