NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to make a historic close approach to the sun on December 24, traveling at speeds of up to 430,000 mph and coming within 3.6 million miles of the sun’s surface. This mission aims to provide insights into solar activity and the solar wind, enhancing our understanding of the sun’s corona and its impact on technology on Earth. The probe will experience a temporary loss of contact with Earth during the approach, with data expected to be transmitted back after the event.