Nasa spacecraft attempts closest-ever approach to Sun | BBC News

A Nasa spacecraft is attempting to make history with the closest-ever approach to the Sun.

The Parker Solar Probe is plunging into our star's outer atmosphere to try and help us better understand how the Sun works.

It is out of communication for several days and scientists will be waiting for a signal, expected at 05:00 GMT on 28 December, to see if it has survived.

#Nasa #Space #BBCNews

[LeathervsLatex]

Coming from the UK i have no idea what the sun is!

[ZenviZi]

Props to BBC to reporting cool stuff and not just bad news

[rad]

They should have sent it at night, when the sun turns off.

[CHEEEZ-UK]

Cool! Sometimes we do cool stuff as humans when we're not fighting amongst ourselves

[clqudy]

This is what humanity is intended to do: explore our universe. Bravo NASA and all the scientists of the world!

[mslltwo]

tried convincing my parents that the sun is a star... didnt work... let say...
theyre stuck in the 7th century

[Mila-Coffey]

It's good that they tried this over the winter. NASA made a wise decision here.

[Ayks]

The probe has a cooling system
The Sun: Challenge accepted 😂

[pmim]

Wow, getting that close to the Sun is insane! It’s crazy to think how understanding solar winds and magnetic fields could actually help protect life on Earth. Science is wild!

[RarewareLover]

The Polish space agency tried doing this a few years ago. When they were asked if it would be too hot for the probe, they answered “there’s no worry, we’ll be going at night”

[entertain]

Good that they attempted this during the winter. Smart move from NASA.

[joelvanwinkle]

Wow getting that close to the sun is impressive, merry Christmas from the United states

[busterhoodstar]

"You can't land on the Sun!" - Everyone
"Hold my beer." - Nasa

[briansass]

The technology used to keep the craft and instruments cool is mind boggling!

[bitbugsbyte]

My cat was intrigued by the sounds of the sun!

[OwenMindozo]

Coming from Malawi, Southern Africa, it will be historic amazed the World

[dbherath]

Parker solar probe is arguably the greatest feet in space exploration ever..

Fastest a man made probe ever achieved
Closest a man made probe ever to sun
The highest tempreture to withstand amd remains operational

That too during a solar maximum in a 11 year cycle.

Salute to NASA for this amazing achivements ❤❤

[tallwilliam]

I think Dr Millard would be an excellent TV presenter. In any case a very effective science communicator.

[viggo]

Interesting thing about the sun is that it actually gets way cooler once you pass the outer layer called the corona (up to 1, 000, 000k) and into the Chromosphere(up to 8, 000k). But i guess a probe would still be facing worse things than mere temperature if it got that far.

[paulfaganpianist]

That Whistler Mode Wave at 2:30 is deeply unsettling. Love it.