NASA Probe , Makes Historic Pass , Through the Sun's Atmosphere.<br />NPR reports that after 3 years <br />of traveling through space, the Parker <br />Solar Probe has finally reached the sun. .<br />On December 14, NASA announced that the probe <br />became the first spacecraft to fly into the sun's <br />upper atmosphere, known as the corona. .<br />On December 14, NASA announced that the probe <br />became the first spacecraft to fly into the sun's <br />upper atmosphere, known as the corona. .<br />According to NASA, while the probe flew through <br />the corona it sampled particles and magnetic fields. .<br />Not only does this milestone provide <br />us with deeper insights into our Sun's <br />evolution and [its] impacts on our <br />solar system, but everything we learn <br />about our own star also teaches us <br />more about stars in the rest of the universe, Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate administrator for <br />NASA's Science Mission Directorate, via NPR.<br />Officials say the mission into the sun's <br />atmosphere is intended to produce discoveries <br />that were previously impossible. .<br />NASA scientists have already concluded <br />that some magnetic zigzags in the solar wind <br />originate on the surface of the star. .<br />The team also found that those solar winds <br />have an effect on conditions here on Earth. .<br />According to NASA, the Parker probe's <br />first pass through the corona was just <br />one of many planned for the mission. .<br />The next flyby is reportedly <br />scheduled to take place in January. .<br />According to NPR, the solar probe, which can<br />get as close as 6.5 million miles to the sun, was built <br />to withstand temperatures over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit
