https://mashable.com/article/nasa-sun-footage-parker-solar-probe Solar Eclipse 2024 Tech Science Life Social Good Entertainment Deals Shopping Travel [ ] Search Cancel * * Search Result ----------------------------------------------------------------- Solar Eclipse 2024 Tech Apps & Software Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Cryptocurrency Mobile Smart Home Social Media Tech Industry Transportation All Tech Science Space Climate Change Environment Video All Science Life Digital Culture Family & Parenting Health & Wellness Sex, Dating & Relationships Sleep Careers Mental Health All Life Social Good Activism Gender LGBTQ Racial Justice Sustainability Politics All Social Good Entertainment Games Movies Podcasts TV Shows Video Reviews Watch Guides All Entertainment SHOP THE BEST Home Tech Kitchen Fitness Sex Toys Apps & Software Dating Gift Guides Mashable Choice Mashable Selects Gaming All Best Products Travel Deals Best of All Travel Product Reviews Tech Life Beauty Tech Kitchen Kids/Toys Gaming Fitness Sex Toys Apps & Software All Product Reviews DEALS Home Tech TV Laptop VPN Vacuum Gaming Streaming Apple Mashable Shop All Deals Newsletters VIDEOS Mashable Shows All Videos Home > Science > Space NASA spacecraft films crazy vortex while flying through sun's atmosphere Unprecedented footage. By Mark Kaufman on April 4, 2024 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard A "vortex-like structure" inside the sun's atmosphere caused by a coronal mass ejection interacting with the stellar environment. A "vortex-like structure" inside the sun's atmosphere caused by a coronal mass ejection interacting with the stellar environment. Credit: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory --------------------------------------------------------------------- The fastest spacecraft in our solar system has captured wild footage inside the sun's atmosphere. NASA's Parker Solar Probe -- a craft flying much closer to the sun than any previous mission -- witnessed massive "vortex-like structures" in our star's outer atmosphere, called the corona. You can see the unprecedented view below, taken by the probe's WISPR camera (short for Wide-field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) and recently posted online. SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills. Researchers suspect that the phenomena was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) -- when the sun ejects a mass of super hot gas (plasma) into space -- interacting with the solar wind. The sun's solar wind is constant, as our medium-sized star emits a steady stream of charged particles. The new research associated with the footage, published in The Astrophysical Journal, concluded that this find in uncharted realms of the sun has created new opportunities to better understand and predict CMEs, outbursts that can severely harm communications and electrical grids on Earth. Technically, these rare vortices are called "Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities," or KHI. Mashable Light Speed Want more space and science stories in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. [ ] Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! "The direct imaging of extraordinary ephemeral phenomena like KHI with WISPR/PSP is a discovery that opens a new window to better understand CME propagation and their interaction with the ambient solar wind," Evangelos Paouris, a space weather researcher and member of the WISPR team at George Mason University, said in a statement. CMEs "can endanger satellites, disrupt communications and navigation technologies, and even knock out power grids on Earth," NASA explains. Infamously, a potent CME in 1989 knocked out power to millions in Quebec, Canada. The CME hit Earth's magnetic field on March 12 of that year, and then, wrote NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald, "Just after 2:44 a.m. on March 13, the currents found a weakness in the electrical power grid of Quebec. In less than two minutes, the entire Quebec power grid lost power. During the 12-hour blackout that followed, millions of people suddenly found themselves in dark office buildings and underground pedestrian tunnels, and in stalled elevators." --------------------------------------------------------------------- Related Stories --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say * When the solar eclipse hits, you'll see these radiant planets * What's the big deal about solar eclipses? It's a 'full-body experience.' * NASA astronaut witnessed an eclipse from space. It was 'unnatural.' * The most fascinating star in our sky inches closer to exploding An artist's conception of NASA's Parker Solar Probe passing through the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. An artist's conception of NASA's Parker Solar Probe passing through the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona. Credit: NASA The space agency's Parker Solar Probe will continue its speeding dives into the sun's corona. To withstand the heat, it's fortified with a 4.5-inch-thick carbon heat shield that's pointed at the sun. The shield itself heats up to some 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, but just a couple of feet behind the shield, the environs are surprisingly mild. Later this year, the spacecraft will reach a whopping 430,000 miles per hour. Topics NASA Mashable Image Mark Kaufman Mark is an award-winning journalist and the science editor at Mashable. After communicating science as a ranger with the National Park Service, he began a reporting career after seeing the extraordinary value in educating the public about the happenings in earth sciences, space, biodiversity, health, and beyond. You can reach Mark at [email protected]. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended For You The sun has enormous spots right now. You might be able to see them. Look, but not without protective eyewear. 02/10/2024 By Elisha Sauers NASA observing sunspots on the sun NASA observing sunspots on the sun --------------------------------------------------------------------- A comet could photobomb the solar eclipse. Here's where to look. But try not to get your hopes up. 04/02/2024 By Elisha Sauers Comet Pons-Brooks zipping through constellation Lyra Comet Pons-Brooks zipping through constellation Lyra --------------------------------------------------------------------- Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say "There was shouting everywhere." 03/31/2024 By Mark Kaufman a crowd of people gawk at the eclipsed sun a crowd of people gawk at the eclipsed sun --------------------------------------------------------------------- The thrilling solar eclipse is soon. An expert gave us viewing tips. "In my experience, you can't overhype it." 03/27/2024 By Mark Kaufman The total solar eclipse photographed in August 2017. The total solar eclipse photographed in August 2017. --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA astronaut witnessed an eclipse from space. It was 'unnatural.' "It was this big, dark thing." 03/30/2024 By Mark Kaufman An astronaut on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. An astronaut on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. --------------------------------------------------------------------- More in Science You'll have to pay for Disney+ password sharing soon Ain't no cure for the summertime streaming blues. 04/05/2024 By Shannon Connellan In this photo illustration a Disney + logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. In this photo illustration a Disney + logo is seen displayed on a smartphone. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The non-fans' guide to WWE WrestleMania 40 Everything you need to know to get the most out of the experience. 04/05/2024 By Matt Binder and Chance Townsend Two wrestlers face down in the middle of a wrestling ring Two wrestlers face down in the middle of a wrestling ring --------------------------------------------------------------------- Beyonce's 'Cowboy Carter': Who are the featured Black country artists? These Black artists are paving the way, one cowboy boot at time. 04/03/2024 By Chance Townsend Composite of music artists Composite of music artists --------------------------------------------------------------------- How to watch Alabama vs. UConn basketball without cable Watch the Crimson Tide take on the Huskies in a men's college basketball tournament showdown. 04/03/2024 By Erik Hall Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers 89-82 in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Clemson Tigers 89-82 in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. --------------------------------------------------------------------- How to watch NC State vs. Purdue basketball without cable Watch the Wolfpack take on the Boilermakers in a men's college basketball tournament showdown. 04/03/2024 By Erik Hall Lance Jones #55 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. Lance Jones #55 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Trending on Mashable Solar eclipses were once extremely terrifying events, experts say "There was shouting everywhere." 03/31/2024 By Mark Kaufman a crowd of people gawk at the eclipsed sun a crowd of people gawk at the eclipsed sun --------------------------------------------------------------------- NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 6 Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #300. 21 hours ago By Mashable Team A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.' A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.' --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 6 Here are some tips and tricks to help you find the answer to "Wordle" #1022. 20 hours ago By Mashable Team a phone displaying Wordle a phone displaying Wordle --------------------------------------------------------------------- NYT's The Mini crossword answers for April 6 Stuck on any of the clues? We have the answers you need. 11 hours ago By Mashable Team Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues Closeup view of crossword puzzle clues --------------------------------------------------------------------- NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 5 Everything you need to solve 'Connections' #299. 04/05/2024 By Mashable Team A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.' A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.' The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox. [ ] Loading... Subscribe This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox! * TECH * SCIENCE * LIFE * SOCIAL GOOD * ENTERTAINMENT * BEST PRODUCTS * DEALS * About Mashable * Contact Us * We're Hiring * Newsletters * Sitemap * * * * * * * * * Group Black Mashable supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Group Black's collective includes Essence, TheShadeRoom and Afro-Punk. (c)2005-2024 Mashable, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. All Rights Reserved. Mashable is a registered trademark of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without express written permission. * About Ziff Davis * Privacy Policy * Terms of Use * Advertise * Accessibility * Do Not Sell My Personal Information * * ZiffDavis AdChoicesAdChoices