5 New Discoveries from NASA's Parker Solar Probe

The Parker Probe has provided unprecedented insights into the sun, revealing complex details about the solar wind and solar energetic particles. It discovered a dust-free zone around the sun and observed surprising magnetic field behaviors. The probe identified the transition point from the corona to the solar wind and detected small-scale solar energetic particle events, enhancing our understanding of space weather and its impact on technology and astronauts.

What new insights has the Parker Solar Probe provided about the solar wind?

• It showed the solar wind is unaffected by the Sun's magnetic field.

• It confirmed the solar wind is a continuous flow.

• It indicated the solar wind is composed of cosmic dust.

• It revealed the solar wind has a rough, irregular texture.

What did Parker discover about cosmic dust near the Sun?

• It stops at about 3.5 million miles from the Sun.

• It forms a protective layer around the Sun.

• It accumulates closer to the Sun.

• It is unaffected by the Sun's heat.

How do the magnetic field lines behave near the Sun according to Parker's observations?

• They flow evenly out from the Sun.

• They remain static and unchanging.

• They flip in a whiplike motion.

• They form a protective barrier.

What did Parker find about the transition point in the solar wind?

• It happens significantly farther out than expected.

• It occurs closer to the Sun than expected.

• It is visible from Earth.

• It is unaffected by the Sun's rotation.

Why are the small bursts of solar energetic particles significant?

• They occur only during solar flares.

• They are a source of dangerous radiation.

• They pose no threat to technology.

• They are easily detectable from Earth.