NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Breaks Records with Historic Close Flyby of the Sun

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe achieved a remarkable milestone, coming within just 3.86 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the sun’s surface — a new record. This historic moment marked the closest any human-made object has ever been to the sun and saw the probe set a new speed record, traveling at 430,000 mph (690,000 kph).

The mission, which has been underway since 2018, is crucial for enhancing our understanding of space weather and its effects on Earth. Parker’s close proximity to the sun, reaching 96% of the distance between the sun and Earth, will allow scientists to study the solar atmosphere and solar eruptions in unprecedented detail.

Dr. Nour Raouafi, a scientist from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, compared the significance of the event to the moon landing in 1969, stating that humanity’s “embrace” of the sun was a long-awaited achievement. Parker is expected to make two more close passes in March and June 2025.