As Jan. 18 approached, NASA’s Parker Solar probe approached the Sun at 12:39 p.m. Hanoi time.
The Parker Solar sails about 13.5 million kilometers above the surface of the Sun at a speed of about 470,000 kilometers per hour, according to the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University, which operates the ship. The ship’s most recent approach to the Sun took place in September 2020.
Scientists confirm that the Sun entered a new cycle of activity, Solar Cycle 25, last year. Since then, the activity of the Sun has slowly increased. In November 2020, the Sun released its strongest glare in 3 years.
The solar cycle lasts 11 years, determines the activity of the Sun as well as the effect of this star on the system. The more active the sun, the more dark spots appear on the surface. Corona eruptions (CMEs) also originate from these dark spots.
2021 has been a busy year for Parker Solar. The ship will make four approaches to the Sun, two near Venus, and adjust the direction to make more scientific observations. It will fly over Venus on February 20, then approach the Sun on April 29.
