By Michael Buckley, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory April 9, 2024NASAs Parker Solar Probe accomplished a considerable milestone by matching its distance record, coming 4.51 million miles close to the Sun during its 19th approach. Credit: NASA GSFC/CIL/Brian MonroeNASAs Parker Solar Probe continues its record-setting journey, tailoring up for an even closer experience with the Sun later this year.NASAs Parker Solar Probe completed its 19th close approach to the Sun on March 30, matching its own distance record by coming about 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) from the solar surface.The close method (known as perihelion) occurred at 2:21 UTC (10:21 EDT), March 29, with Parker Solar Probe moving 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour) around the Sun– once again equaling its own record. The spacecraft inspected in on April 2 with mission operators at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, where the spacecraft was likewise designed and constructed, with a beacon tone showing it was in good health and all systems were running normally.Parker Solar Probes 19th orbit consisted of a perihelion that brought the spacecraft within 4.51 million miles of the Sun.
