NASA is about to deliver a thrilling early holiday treat to space fans on December 24, when its trailblazing Parker Solar Probe makes the closest approach to the Sun that any human-made object has ever achieved. If you’re wondering when this record-breaking pass will happen and what new insights it could offer, read on for all the essential details.
A Record-Breaking Encounter on Christmas Eve
The Parker Solar Probe—named after pioneering solar astrophysicist Dr. Eugene Parker—will make its latest close approach, or perihelion, at 6:53 a.m. EST (1153 GMT) on December 24. During this flyby, the spacecraft will be within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the Sun’s surface. It’s not only a spectacular way to ring in the holidays but also a critical milestone for a mission that has been steadily closing in on our star since its launch in 2018.
Beyond the Headlines: Why This Flyby Matters
Pushing Human Ingenuity
Reaching a distance this close to the Sun is an astonishing feat of engineering. The Parker Solar Probe travels at a mind-blowing speed of 430,000 mph (692,000 kph)—so fast it could zip from New York to Los Angeles in about 20 seconds. This extreme velocity is made possible by a combination of planetary flybys (especially around Venus) and the spacecraft’s innovative propulsion design.
Unlocking Solar Mysteries
Despite all our technological advancements, much about the Sun remains a mystery. For instance, the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, is far hotter than its visible surface—a puzzling fact that researchers want to understand. By venturing directly into this superheated environment, the Parker Solar Probe collects data on solar wind, magnetic fields, and plasma activity, all of which are crucial for predicting space weather and protecting satellites, astronauts, and power grids on Earth.
Surviving Extreme Temperatures and Radiation
High-Tech Heat Shield
The Sun-facing side of the probe must withstand temperatures up to 2,500°F (1,377°C), but thanks to a specialized 8-foot-wide (2.4-meter), 4.5-inch-thick (11-centimeter) carbon foam heat shield, the key instruments remain at nearly room temperature. This shield is coated with a white reflective material that deflects the Sun’s intense energy.
Strategic Instrument PlacementMission engineers have positioned the spacecraft’s sensors and electronic systems about a yard behind the heat shield. From that protected vantage point, Parker’s instruments can safely analyze high-energy particles and magnetic fields near the Sun without getting “fried.”
How to Follow the Action (Without a Live Feed)
You won’t find a livestream or broadcast of the Sun flyby—unlike other NASA events such as rocket launches—because continuous real-time video is practically impossible at such close proximity to the Sun. However, there are plenty of ways to stay updated:
Official NASA Updates
NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission Blog
NASA’s Mission Website
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) Website
Parker Solar Probe Project for mission overviews, scientific results, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Social Media & Online Tools
Follow NASA’s @NASASun account on X (formerly Twitter) for day-to-day or even hour-to-hour mission milestones.
NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System lets you track the probe’s real-time location and speed.
Key Dates: From Launch to Christmas Eve (and Beyond)
Launch & Early Missions
Parker Solar Probe lifted off on August 12, 2018, atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Over the years, it has performed a series of Venus gravity assists and previous perihelion passes, slowly spiraling closer to the Sun.Friday, Dec. 20
Mission teams at JHUAPL received a final signal confirming that Parker had entered its encounter phase. Communication then goes largely silent.
Tuesday, Dec. 24 (Perihelion #22)
The spacecraft makes its historic closest approach. Expect NASA and JHUAPL to release statements or updates marking the event, although direct contact with the probe is limited.
Friday, Dec. 27
Parker is expected to send a “beacon” signal, letting Earth know it survived its intense pass and confirming overall spacecraft health.
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2025
The probe starts sending back telemetry and housekeeping data. Full science data—such as detailed readings, images, and other observations—usually takes longer to process and transmit.
Late January 2025Researchers anticipate the first major science download from this perihelion. Expect revelations about solar wind formation, high-energy particle flows, and the corona’s extreme heat.
Not the Final Dance with the Sun
The Parker Solar Probe mission is planned to include 24 close passes by the Sun in total. December 24 marks the 22nd, with two more slated for March 22, 2025, and June 19, 2025, before the spacecraft’s seven-year primary mission ends.
After those final flybys, NASA will decide whether to extend operations or place the probe in a long-term orbit around the Sun.
Parker Solar Probe’s Role in Broader Solar Research
The data from Parker doesn’t exist in a vacuum (no pun intended). NASA’s solar research efforts also include missions like:
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) – A joint project with the European Space Agency (ESA) that studies the Sun from L1 Lagrangian point.
Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) – Provides continuous high-definition imagery of the Sun to track solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter – Another mission that offers complementary data on solar poles and out-of-plane phenomena.
By comparing Parker’s in-situ measurements with data from these observatories, scientists can create a more holistic picture of our star’s behavior.
The Bigger Picture: Why Understanding the Sun Matters
Studying the Sun isn’t just an academic pursuit. Solar activity, like flares and coronal mass ejections, can:
Disrupt satellite communication and GPS systems,Cause power outages and geomagnetic storms,Pose risks to astronauts on the International Space Station or future Moon/Mars missions.
By flying so close to the Sun, the Parker Solar Probe gathers vital information to help us predict these events more accurately, eventually enhancing our ability to protect technology and human explorers in space.
Final Thoughts
The Christmas Eve close pass of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe stands as a testament to human ingenuity, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries about our closest star. From unraveling the mystery of why the corona is so intensely hot to illuminating how solar winds interact with Earth, each perihelion pass brings fresh insights. Stay tuned for more updates as the spacecraft threads the needle of this unprecedented journey—and get ready for a wave of new scientific data that will keep researchers busy well into 2025.