Dr. Eugene N. Parker, visionary of heliophysics and namesake of NASAs Parker Solar Probe, has actually passed away. He was 94.
As a young professor at the University of Chicago in the mid-1950s, Parker established a mathematical theory that anticipated the solar wind, the consistent outflow of solar material from the Sun. Throughout his profession, Parker changed the field time and again, advancing concepts that attended to the fundamental concerns about the operations of our Sun and stars throughout deep space.
Dr. Eugene Parker views the launch of the spacecraft that bears his name– NASAs Parker Solar Probe– early in the morning of Aug. 12, 2018. Parker Solar Probe is humanitys very first mission to the Sun and will travel closer to our star than any spacecraft prior to.
” We were distressed to learn the news that one of the excellent clinical minds and leaders of our time has actually passed,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Dr. Eugene Parkers contributions to science and to understanding how our universe works touches so much of what we do here at NASA. Dr. Parkers legacy will live on through the lots of active and future NASA missions that build on his work.”
“Honoring his work by providing Parker Solar Probe his name is one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. Parker Solar Probe touching the Sun, is a fitting accomplishment for his namesake objective.”
In 2018, Parker became the first person to witness the launch of a spacecraft bearing his name. NASAs Parker Solar Probe continues its mission today in pursuit of the pioneering concerns Parker initially envisaged more than a half century ago.
” Anyone who knew Dr. Parker, understood that he was a visionary,” said Nicola Fox, director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “I was honored to stand with him at the launch of Parker Solar Probe and have actually enjoyed getting to show him all the amazing science results, seeing his face light up with every brand-new image and information plot I revealed him. I will genuinely miss his enjoyment and love for Parker Solar Probe. Even though Dr. Parker is no longer with us, his discoveries and tradition will live permanently.”
Illustration of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the sun. Credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
NASA relabelled the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft– humanitys very first objective to a star, which introduced in 2018– as the Parker Solar Probe in honor of astrophysicist Eugene Parker. NASA objectives are most frequently relabelled after launch and certification; in this case, given Parkers achievements within the field, and how carefully aligned this mission is with his research study, the choice was made to honor him prior to launch, in order to draw attention to his essential contributions to heliophysics and area science.
Dr. Eugene Parker sees the launch of the spacecraft that bears his name– NASAs Parker Solar Probe– early in the morning of Aug. 12, 2018. Parker Solar Probe is mankinds first mission to the Sun and will take a trip closer to our star than any spacecraft prior to. Parker Solar Probe touching the Sun, is a fitting achievement for his namesake objective.”
“I was honored to stand with him at the launch of Parker Solar Probe and have liked getting to share with him all the amazing science outcomes, seeing his face light up with every brand-new image and data plot I revealed him.