As the Sun was optimally aligned with Earth on this pass, much "matching data" was collected here on EArth, which creates a richer context for the close up observations Parker in now beaming back, over several days. Primarily data on deeper solar winds, and flare data -- stuff that when moving over a third of a million miles an hour, and so close. . . Parker cannot accurately plumb. Here's the latest -- from the NASA | "Johns Hopkins Applied" Parker blog:
. . .NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completed its 15th close approach to the Sun on March 17, coming within 5.3 million miles of the scorching solar surface. The geometry of Parker’s latest orbit also placed it in direct view of Earth and several other Sun-observing spacecraft during its close encounter, providing unique scientific opportunities for collaborative observations from the ground and space. . . .
Because Earth was in a prime position to view Parker’s latest encounter, the science community initiated a ground-based observation campaign. More than 40 observatories in the United States, Europe, and Asia trained their visible, infrared, and radio telescopes on the Sun for several weeks around Parker’s encounter.
This was a rare opportunity, as Earth can only view an entire Parker encounter once every three to four orbits. These powerful observatories were not able to see Parker itself — the van-sized spacecraft is far too small for visible detection — but they offered from a distance additional information about the solar sources of phenomena that the probe is observing up close. . . .
During the perihelion, the spacecraft traveled at 364,619 miles per hour, fast enough to fly from New York to Tokyo in just over a minute. . . .
And. . . this marks another lap around old Sol for me too. . . grinning and getting delicious tacos in the rain, later. Heh -- be excellent to one another.
नमस्ते
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