NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has captured the closest-ever images of the Sun’s corona, providing new insights into the solar wind and its impact on Earth. The probe performed its closest-ever flyby on December 24, 2024, traveling just 3.8 million miles from the sun’s surface.
Scientists are learning more about the sun’s effects throughout the solar system, including events that may affect Earth. The new data will help improve space weather predictions to ensure astronaut safety and protect technology.
The probe recorded high-resolution images of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), massive explosions of charged particles that play a key role in space weather. These images reveal CMEs piling up on top of each other, providing valuable information on how they merge and impact the solar system.
Researchers found that the solar wind’s behavior near the sun is much more complex than initially thought, with switchbacks or zigzag magnetic fields occurring in clusters. These switchbacks are more frequent than anticipated, shedding light on the solar wind’s origins.
The Parker Solar Probe’s data will help scientists better understand the solar wind’s effects on Earth’s atmosphere. The planet’s magnetic field shields us from powerful solar winds, but these winds can occasionally disrupt the field and trigger space weather events that affect everything from power grids to satellite communications.
Future passes through the corona are planned to gather more data on the solar wind. The next scheduled pass is set for September 15, 2025.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2025/07/13/nasa-parker-solar-probe-sun-photos/84572770007