NEW YORK—NASA's revolutionary Parker Solar Probe is gearing up for another remarkable close encounter with the sun, marking its second of three planned visits to the sun’s intense outer atmosphere. This mission aims to unlock the mysteries of our solar system's star and provide insights that could change our understanding of solar physics.

In December, the Parker Solar Probe made history by soaring within an astonishing 3.8 million miles (6 million kilometers) of the sun, setting a new record as the closest approach to the sun ever achieved by a human-made object. This Saturday, the probe is scheduled to revisit the blazing sun, although it will be out of communication range during the flyby. The mission team anticipates receiving data from Parker by Tuesday afternoon, fueling excitement about what discoveries await.

Not only does Parker glide closer to the sun, it does so at unparalleled speeds—hitting velocities of up to 430,000 mph (690,000 kph) at its closest point. This groundbreaking spacecraft, launched in 2018, has traversed the sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere, providing unprecedented data.

Scientists are particularly curious about the enigma of the sun's corona being hundreds of times hotter than its surface. Understanding this phenomenon could lead to answers regarding the solar wind—a constant outflow of charged particles that has significant implications for space weather and communication systems on Earth. The data collected by Parker is expected to enhance our knowledge of solar activities that can impact satellites and power grids on our planet.

As we eagerly await the results from this latest flyby, the Parker Solar Probe stands as a testament to human ingenuity and our quest to explore the cosmos. What groundbreaking revelations will this mission uncover about our sun? Stay tuned as we uncover the secrets of our star!