How Close To The Sun Can Humanity Get?
Summary
This episode explores the Parker Solar Probe mission, which will fly closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft to study the solar corona and wind. The discussion covers the probe’s four scientific instruments, its heat shield designed to withstand extreme temperatures, and the use of Venus flybys to reduce orbital velocity. It also highlights the potential civilizational threats posed by coronal mass ejections, referencing the Carrington Event. The segment concludes with a brief discussion on Maxwell’s Demon and the second law of thermodynamics.
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