NASA’s Parker Probe traveled a long way two years ago and orbited the nearest star several times.
In April of this year, it approached the Sun at a distance of about 13 million kilometers, and measurements of the magnetic field showed that the upper part of the atmosphere consisting of plasma had been reached. It is a place where gravity and magnetic fields become too weak to hold particles around the sun.
Previously, the device measured the flow of ionized particles, or solar wind, which produces northern lights on our planet.
The data will provide a better understanding of the processes taking place in the star and their impact on the planets, including the Earth.
Research is also of practical importance, as cycles of solar activity affect our planet’s climate, but outbreaks and the magnetic storms they cause can be detrimental to human health and the functioning of electronic devices.
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