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World's fastest object completes NASA sun mission


Published on 2024-12-25 08:02:33 - MSN
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  • A NASA probe made history Christmas Eve after becoming the closest human-made object to the sun, a feat scientists say was as historic as the Apollo moon landing.

The Parker Solar Probe, recognized as the world's fastest object, has successfully completed its mission to study the Sun, coming closer to our star than any previous spacecraft. Launched in 2018, the probe has endured extreme conditions, including temperatures up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, to gather unprecedented data on solar wind, magnetic fields, and solar eruptions. This mission has provided critical insights into the Sun's behavior, enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena and their impacts on space weather, which can affect satellite operations, power grids, and astronaut safety. The probe's final close approach to the Sun was on December 24, 2024, marking the end of its primary mission, although it will continue to collect data as it moves away from the Sun.

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