Latest news with #AngelosVourlidas
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
See it: Closest image of Sun yet taken by NASA's Parker Solar Probe
Last year, NASA's Parker Solar Probe made its record-breaking flyby of the Sun, zooming just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface, and we're just now seeing some results from that close brush with our star. This week, Nasa released new images taken by the spacecraft from the record-breaking close approach of the Sun, including from an instrument called WISPER. As Parker skimmed through the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, it used the Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR) to observe the corona and solar wind. Nasa's Parker Solar Probe Makes Historic Christmas Eve Flight Through Sun's Atmosphere The video below was created with images from WISPR, which shows solar wind in never-before-seen detail. According to NASA, this close-up shows what happens right after solar wind comes blasting out from the corona. It also shows multiple collisions of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, the space weather phenomena most known for creating aurora lights on Earth. This data could be key to understanding space weather, according to Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR instrument scientist with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. NASA said as CMEs collide, their trajectory can change, making space weather forecasting more difficult to predict if these charged particles are headed for Earth. Still, scientists do not know how solar wind is created. "The big unknown has been: how is the solar wind generated, and how does it manage to escape the Sun's immense gravitational pull?" said Nour Rawafi, the project scientist for Parker Solar Probe at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. "Understanding this continuous flow of particles, particularly the slow solar wind, is a major challenge, especially given the diversity in the properties of these streams — but with Parker Solar Probe, we're closer than ever to uncovering their origins and how they evolve." Parker Solar Probe was named after the heliophysist Eugene Parker, who first theorized this concept in 1958. Parker was at the launch of the spacecraft with his namesake in 2018. He passed away at 94-years-old in 2022. article source: See it: Closest image of Sun yet taken by NASA's Parker Solar Probe
India Today
4 days ago
- Science
- India Today
This is the closest ever image of the Sun. You can clearly see the solar wind
In a historic achievement for solar science, NASA has released the closest-ever images of the Sun, captured by the Parker Solar Probe during its record-breaking approach in December probe flew just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface, skimming through the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, and offering humanity an unprecedented view into the heart of our solar system's its Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR), Parker Solar Probe delivered detailed images of the corona and the solar wind, a continuous stream of electrically charged particles that emanates from the Sun and influences the entire solar SOLAR WIND COMING FROM THE SUN These images allow scientists to observe, for the first time, the dynamic processes at the very source of space weather events that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications on Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, emphasised the significance and said, 'We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models. This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.'Unraveling the Mysteries of Solar WindThe newly released WISPR images reveal the turbulent boundary where the Sun's magnetic field flips direction, known as the heliospheric current the first time, scientists observed multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—massive bursts of charged particles—colliding and merging in high resolution, a process that can intensify the effects of space weather on Earth. Angelos Vourlidas, WISPR instrument scientist, noted, 'We're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another which can be important for space weather.'Zooming in on Solar Wind's BirthplaceParker Solar Probe's close passes have revolutionised our understanding of the solar wind's origins. The probe confirmed that the fast solar wind is powered by magnetic 'switchbacks'—zigzagging fields—originating in coronal holes, while the slow solar wind, denser and more variable, may stem from large magnetic loops called helmet probe also distinguished two types of slow solar wind:Alfvenic: Characterised by small-scale switchbacks, likely from coronal Lacking these variations, possibly from helmet AheadWith its next close approach scheduled for September 2025, Parker Solar Probe continues to gather data that promises to deepen our understanding of the Sun's influence on space weather and, ultimately, life on Nour Rawafi, project scientist, put it, 'With Parker Solar Probe, we're closer than ever to uncovering [the solar wind's] origins and how they evolve.'- Ends
USA Today
5 days ago
- Science
- USA Today
The Parker Solar probe captures closest-ever images of the Sun. See the results.
Newly released imagery from NASA shows the Sun's corona in stunning detail after the Parker Solar probe performed its closest-ever flyby. On its closest-ever flyby to the Sun, NASA's Parker Solar probe captured newly released images of solar winds purging out from the Sun's outermost atmosphere, the Corona. Scientists are learning more about the Sun's impact throughout the solar system, including events that may have an impact on Earth. 'Parker Solar Probe has once again transported us into the dynamic atmosphere of our closest star,' said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington in a recent release. 'We are witnessing where space weather threats to Earth begin, with our eyes, not just with models. This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.' Sun's solar wind captured in detail For the first time, the probe recorded in high resolution the collision of numerous coronal mass ejections (or CMEs) which are massive explosions of charged particles that play a major role in space weather. 'In these images, we're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another,' said Angelos Vourlidas, the WISPR instrument scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, which designed, built, and operates the spacecraft in Laurel, Maryland. 'We're using this to figure out how the CMEs merge together, which can be important for space weather.' Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. The Parker Solar Probe discovered that while the solar wind is a steady breeze near Earth, it is anything but at the Sun. The spacecraft experienced switchbacks, or zigzag magnetic fields, when it got within 14.7 million miles of the Sun. Scientists found that these switchbacks, which occurred in clusters, were more frequent than anticipated using data from the Parker Solar Probe. How close was the probe to the sun? On December 24, 2024, the Parker Solar Probe began its closest approach to the Sun, traveling only 3.8 million miles from the solar surface. Putting that into perspective, if the Earth and Sun were only 1 foot apart, the Parker probe would be about a 1/2 inch from the Sun's surface, according to NASA. In the spacecraft's closest orbit to the Sun, it used a variety of scientific instruments, including the Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe (or WISPR) to gather data as it passed through the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. The solar wind, a continuous flow of electrically charged particles from the Sun that rages throughout the solar system and the corona are both visible in the new WISPR photos. Knowing the origins of the solar wind near the Sun is the first step towards comprehending its effects, according to NASA. More: James Webb Space Telescope marks 3rd anniversary: What to know about observatory More: NASA astronaut captures rare phenomenon from 250 miles above Earth: See photo of 'sprite' How the Sun's solar winds impact Earth's atmosphere The Earth's magnetic field is our invisible protector. The field creates a barrier that shields us from the powerful solar winds. The magnetic field can occasionally become disrupted by stronger solar winds. According to NASA, in some cases, it can also trigger space weather events that interfere with everything from land-based power networks to ship communications on our oceans to our satellites in orbit. Stunning auroras are also created when the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field. Parker Solar Probe is expected to continue gathering more data in its present orbit as it makes future passes through the corona to assist scientists to discover the origins of the sluggish solar wind. The next pass is scheduled for September 15, 2025. SOURCE NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Johns Hopkins APL, Naval Research Laboratory and USA TODAY research
News18
6 days ago
- Science
- News18
NASA's Parker Probe Captures Closest-Ever Image Of The Sun
Last Updated: NASA's Parker Probe captured the first-ever images from inside a solar eruption, offering vital clues about space weather and its effects on Earth The Sun, Earth's most powerful energy source, has long been a subject of awe and concern due to its sheer scale and volatile nature. Now, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has delivered astonishing new images that provide a close-up look inside the Sun's atmosphere; images as mesmerising as they are menacing. Closest Flyby Reveals Intense Solar Activity On December 24, 2024, the Parker Solar Probe made its closest-ever approach to the Sun, reaching just 3.8 million miles from its surface. During this moment, the onboard WISPR camera (Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) captured a live eruption of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). This marks the first time scientists have directly recorded such a violent solar event from within, rather than simulating it through models. Deadly Solar Waves Observed First-Hand Within the CME, scientists observed Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities—swirling, wave-like patterns formed by the collision of solar flows. Once considered purely theoretical or seen only in simulations, these dangerous waveforms have now been witnessed in real solar conditions. Unprecedented Footage From Inside the Corona NASA released a video showing the Sun's corona from the probe's perspective. According to Angelos Vourlidas from Johns Hopkins University, USA, the footage shows CMEs colliding and merging, giving researchers insight into how space weather forms and evolves. NASA's Dr Nicky Fox added, 'We are finally seeing where Earth's space weather begins". Against All Odds: The Probe Survives Extreme Heat Despite temperatures above 1,300°C and intense radiation, the Parker Probe emerged undamaged. NASA engineers regard this survival as a historic feat in space engineering. What's Next For Parker? The probe's next flyby is set for September 15, 2025, where it will venture even closer to the Sun. Scientists are optimistic that this mission will help decode the origin of solar winds, which are critical in understanding and forecasting space weather. Why This Matters For Earth Space weather caused by CMEs can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, radio signals, and even power grids on Earth. These new findings will help scientists build better early-warning systems, protecting both astronauts and everyday technologies on Earth. view comments First Published: July 12, 2025, 14:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Gizmodo
6 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Behold the Closest Images of the Sun Ever Taken
On Christmas Eve of last year, NASA's Parker Solar Probe made spaceflight history, flying by the Sun at a record-setting distance of just 3.8 million miles (6.12 million kilometers) from the solar surface. During its flyby, Parker snapped some amazing close-up images of the Sun, which NASA finally released to the public yesterday. The images, captured by the probe's Wide-Field Imager for Solar Probe, or WISPR, present an extraordinary view of the Sun's corona, buffeted by raging solar winds. The snapshots capture a particularly intriguing moment for solar weather, in which not one but multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs)—large outbursts of charged particles that affect space weather—are shown colliding at the periphery of the Sun's magnetic field. 'In these images, we're seeing the CMEs basically piling up on top of one another,' said Angelos Vourlidas, an engineer involved in WISPR at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, in a statement. 'We're using this to figure out how the CMEs merge together, which can be important for space weather.' The new images also provide a high-resolution view of solar wind activity, which NASA's scientists will likely use to refine their space weather prediction abilities. 'Parker Solar Probe has once again transported us into the dynamic atmosphere of our closest star,' said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, in the same statement. 'This new data will help us vastly improve our space weather predictions to ensure the safety of our astronauts and the protection of our technology here on Earth and throughout the solar system.' 'The data that will come down from the spacecraft will be fresh information about a place that we, as humanity, have never been,' said Joe Westlake, director for NASA's Heliophysics Division, in a release published after last year's flyby. The next big milestone for Parker will happen later this year on September 15, when the probe performs another close pass. With each new orbit, Parker is steadily uncovering the many unknown characteristics of the Sun. Each flyby is a reminder of how much we still don't know about our own host star—yet, at the same time, a reminder of how far we've come.
