90: Touching The Sun

While the James Webb Space Telescope waits patiently for its new scheduled liftoff on Christmas Eve, the Parker Solar Probe has been doing amazing things, whizzing through the outer edges of the Sun's corona for the very first time. Emily explains what we do — and staggeringly don't — know about our nearest star, and how Parker is going to help plug some of the more embarrassing gaps in our knowledge. Syzygy Merch! Get it at the store. Help us make Syzygy even better! Tell your friends and give us a review, or show your support on Patreon: patreon.com/syzygypod Syzygy is produced by Chris Stewart and co-hosted by Dr Emily Brunsden from the Department of Physics at the University of York. On the web: syzygy.fm | Twitter: @syzygypod Since you’re here, you might be interested in a new, sciencey podcast: Science, possibly — science-adjacent stories by Chris Stewart and James Lees. Things we talk about in this episode: JWST still set for launch The Parker Solar Probe The Photosphere The Chromosphere The Corona Coronal Mass Ejections The Carrington Event of 1859 The Solar Storm of 1989 Parker touches the Sun! First images from inside the corona (feat. Milky Way!) Spaceguard!