NASA's Parker Solar Probe Completes 16th Close Approach to the Sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe Completes 16th Close Approach to the Sun

On June 22, 2023, NASA's Parker Solar Probe completed its 16th close approach to the Sun, coming within 5.3 million miles of the solar surface. The spacecraft emerged from the solar flyby healthy and operating normally. This was the closest approach yet for Parker Solar Probe, which is on a mission to study the Sun's atmosphere and magnetic field. The spacecraft is equipped with a variety of instruments that will help scientists to understand how the Sun works and how it affects Earth. During its 16th close approach, Parker Solar Probe collected data on the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. The corona is much hotter than the Sun's surface, and scientists are not yet sure why. Parker Solar Probe's data will help to shed light on this mystery. The spacecraft also collected data on the Sun's magnetic field. The Sun's magnetic field is constantly changing, and these changes can cause solar storms. Solar storms can disrupt communication and power…