NASA spacecraft sets record for closest approach to sun

SCI-TECH

NASA spacecraft sets record for closest approach to sun

Marcia Dunn The Associated Press
Published Monday, October 29, 2018 2:40PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, October 30, 2018 10:22AM EDT

Parker Solar Probe became the closest-ever spacecraft to the Sun on Oct. 29, 2018, when it passed within 26.55 million miles of the Sun鈥檚 surface. (Credit: NASA/JHUAPL)

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Parker Solar Probe is now closer to the sun than any spacecraft has ever gotten.

Parker on Monday surpassed the record of 26.6 million miles (43 million kilometres) set by Helios-2 back in 1976. And it will keep getting closer to the sun until it flies through the corona, or outer atmosphere, for the first time next week, passing within 15 million miles (24 million kilometres) of the solar surface.

Parker will make 24 close approaches to the sun over the next seven years, ultimately coming within just 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometres).

Launched in August, Parker is on track to set another record late Monday night. It will surpass Helios-2's speed record of 153,454 miles per hour (247,000 kilometres per hour), relative to the sun.