**NASA Spacecraft to Fly Closest to the Sun**
A NASA spacecraft called Parker is preparing for a record-breaking flyby of the sun. On Tuesday, it will hurtle through the solar atmosphere and pass within 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the sun’s surface.
This is close – if the sun and Earth were at opposite ends of a football field, Parker would be on the 4-yard line. The spacecraft will reach speeds of over 430,000 mph (690,000 kph), making it the fastest ever built. Its heat shield can withstand temperatures of up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,371 degrees Celsius).
**What’s Next?**
After the flyby, scientists hope to learn more about why the sun’s corona is hundreds of times hotter than its surface. They also want to know what drives the solar wind, a stream of charged particles that constantly blasts away from the sun.
The sun is currently at the peak of its 11-year cycle, causing colorful auroras in unexpected places. While the sun’s rays make life on Earth possible, severe solar storms can disrupt communications and power supplies.
**What Will We Learn?**
Parker will continue to circle the sun for at least September. Scientists hope to gain new insights into the sun’s behavior and its effects on our planet. This knowledge will help us better prepare for severe solar storms and understand the complex relationships between the sun, Earth, and space.