nice view picture

Which snowboard bindings are best? If you’re new to snowboarding, you may not realize the importance of a solid pair of snowboard bindings. In reality, this piece of gear does more than just secure your boots to the snowboard. Bindings are responsible for transferring the power from your legs to the board, allowing improved control and comfort. A quality pair of bindings could last for years, so the decision to buy is a big one. For snowboard bindings that are durable, lightweight and comfortable, check out the BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings . What to know before you buy snowboard bindings Riding style Some snowboard bindings are better suited for certain riding styles. Consider how you plan to use your snowboard before settling on a specific pair of bindings. If you’re not sure, try renting some gear for a day and see how the bindings feel on the slopes. Mountain: Perhaps the most versatile style, mountain riding consists of snowboarding in a variety of conditions, from groomed runs to backcountry powder. If you’re a mountain rider, look for snowboard bindings that offer a balance of flexibility and rigidity. Freeride: This type of riding usually is done by a very experienced snowboarder who spends most of their time exploring the backcountry. They need speed and precision for ungroomed runs and deep snow, so rigid bindings are preferred. Freestyle: Also known as a park rider, a freestyle rider spends the bulk of their time in the park, mastering snowboard tricks and jumps. For this style, flexible bindings are recommended. Binding types Strap-in bindings are the most common type, requiring the user to slide their snowboard boots into place before manually tightening the straps. Rear-entry bindings are similar, with a hinged section that folds backward before the user can step on and strap in. The folding rear section provides additional support and comfort. Step-on bindings are a new binding type that requires the user to simply step onto the board to lock their boots into place. Flexibility scale Many snowboard manufacturers include a 1 to 10 flexibility rating with their bindings. A high number indicates stiff bindings, while a low number is assigned to bindings that are particularly soft and flexible. What to look for in a quality snowboard binding Straps Most snowboard bindings have straps that secure the ankle and toe sections of your boots to the board. The ankle straps keep you in a flexible yet fixed position when you lean forward onto your toes, while the toe straps keep your feet in place when you lean back. Padding Padding is used on snowboard bindings to absorb some of the shock caused by bumpy runs. Think about your riding style when deciding how much padding you need. Mount Mounts secure the bindings to the board. You can use mounting screws to attach the bindings and adjust the foot positioning to your preference. Aesthetics Just like a snowboard, snowboard bindings come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. If you want a cohesive look, pick out bindings that match the rest of your gear. Brands When shopping for snowboard gear online, try to purchase from well-known brands like Burton, Salomon or Rossignol. Cheap snowboard bindings from an obscure manufacturer might be tempting, but you could find yourself with an inferior product once you hit the slopes. How much you can expect to spend on snowboard bindings The cost of snowboard bindings can vary depending on the brand name and the quality of the parts. Beginner and intermediate snowboarders can expect to pay around $100-$250 for a quality pair of bindings, while advanced snowboard bindings regularly exceed $300. Snowboard bindings FAQ How do you choose a snowboard binding size? A. Most snowboard bindings are sold in two to five size options. Look at the model’s sizing chart and compare it with your boot size to find bindings that fit you. Are snowboard bindings unisex? A. Yes. Although there are women’s snowboard bindings that advertise particular design features, snowboard bindings are universal. This means you can choose any pair you want, as long as they’re the right size. What’s the best snowboard binding to buy? Top snowboard bindings BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Despite being advertised as men’s snowboard bindings, these bindings use advanced technology to deliver quality support and performance for any rider. What you’ll love: Backed by Burton’s legendary reputation, these snowboard bindings offer an advanced level of performance, control and comfort in a stylish package. The padding has a gel to absorb extra shock, and the bindings come in five color options. What you should consider: These bindings might be too expensive for beginner and intermediate riders. Top snowboard bindings for the money Salomon Pact Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: These versatile bindings are durable and affordable enough for almost any rider. What you’ll love: A solid choice for beginners, these snowboard bindings have a rear-entry design with high-quality straps for fine adjustments. Many users note their durability and comfort during long days of riding. What you should consider: These bindings have a limited number of size options, and the mounting discs may not attach to every board type. Worth checking out BURTON Grom Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Designed for kids and small snowboarders, these popular bindings have a solid construction and reasonable price tag. What you’ll love: Perfect for young riders hitting the slopes for the first time, these beginner bindings are compatible with most snowboard mounting systems and feature a single-component baseplate for consistent control and responsiveness. They’re also available in two sleek color options, black and white. What you should consider: Some users questioned the quality and longevity of the bindings’ highback. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Satara (Maharashtra): Eknath Shinde , the caretaker Chief Minister of Maharashtra , has been suffering from fever and a throat infection for the past two days, his family doctor said, adding that he is now recovering. The doctor mentioned that a team of three to four doctors is treating Eknath Shinde in his native village in Satara district, Maharashtra. RM Patre, Shinde's family doctor, told ANI, "He is doing fine now. He has been experiencing fever, body pain, throat infection, and cold for the past two days. We have administered antibiotics. A team of three to four doctors is attending to him." Eknath Shinde travelled to his native village in Satara district on Friday. Meanwhile, amid suspense over the announcement of the Chief Ministerial candidate in Maharashtra, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Saturday that the oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government will take place on December 5. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Marketing Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups: From Concept to Conversion By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Leadership Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 5 pm at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Bawankule added that the event will be conducted in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . In a post on X, Bawankule wrote, "The oath-taking ceremony of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra will be held in the presence of the pride of the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5 PM at Azad Maidan, Mumbai." Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat revealed that caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is expected to make a significant decision by Sunday. When asked about the allocation of ministries to allies, Shirsat said that everything would be clarified by Monday evening. "In my opinion, whenever Eknath Shinde feels the need for time to reflect, he goes to his native village. By tomorrow evening, he will make a major decision. It could be a political decision... Everything will be clear by Monday evening. The oath-taking ceremony should take place before December 5, as we are preparing accordingly," Shirsat told ANI. Earlier, on Thursday night, Maharashtra's caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, along with Devendra Fadnavis , NCP chief Ajit Pawar, and other Mahayuti leaders, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in the national capital. The Maharashtra Assembly election results, declared on November 23, saw the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance return to power with a landslide majority. The ruling alliance has yet to finalise its Chief Ministerial candidate. The BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 132 seats in the 280-member Maharashtra Assembly, while its allies--the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar--secured 57 and 41 seats, respectively. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Travellers flying to or from the UK have faced further disruptions as thick fog and low visibility restricted air traffic on one of the year's busiest weekends. or signup to continue reading Gatwick Airport in London warned that some flights may be delayed throughout Saturday and apologised for the inconvenience. Flights were delayed by up to three hours on Friday because of poor weather conditions, and at least 40 flights from the airport, mostly short-haul to Europe, were delayed on Saturday morning. Heathrow Airport, one of Europe's busiest, advised passengers to check with their airlines regarding potential delays. Disruptions were also reported at other UK airports including Stansted Airport in London and Manchester Airport. The UK's weather forecasters, the Met Office, said thick fog patches could reduce visibility to just 100m in some areas across Britain. It said travellers should allow "a little bit longer" for journeys and warned drivers to be extra careful. Kiera Quayle and her husband, who were visiting family for Christmas on the Isle of Man, were among many affected. Their return flight to London was delayed by hours and then cancelled late Friday. "It's frustrating and stressful but I overheard a few families who are now missing holidays and work who have it worse at this point," she said. Conditions are expected to improve on Sunday, the Met Office said. Britain's main air traffic control organisation said the restrictions would remain in place in areas with low visibility. The restrictions came at a busy time of year when many people travel following the Christmas holiday and ahead of the New Year. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementRaiders coach Antonio Pierce on final play vs. Chiefs: ‘We heard a whistle on our sideline’
No. 22 UCLA edges No. 14 Gonzaga in another classic between rivals
(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, Dec. 1 AUTO RACING 10:55 a.m. ESPN2 — Formula 1: The Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Noon BTN — Alcorn St. at Maryland 2 p.m. BTN — Buffalo at Penn St. 4 p.m. BTN — North Florida at Nebraska ESPN2 — MTSU at UAB 4:30 p.m. FS1 — South Carolina at Xavier COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) Noon ACCN — Columbia at Duke 2 p.m. ESPN2 — Creighton at Tulsa COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) 6 p.m. ESPN — NCAA Women’s Volleyball Selection Show GOLF 7 a.m. GOLF — Ladies European Tour: The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, Final Round, Real Club Guadalhorce Golf, Málaga, Spain HORSE RACING Noon FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races LACROSSE (MEN’S) 6 p.m. ESPN2 — NLL: Philadelphia at San Diego NBA BASKETBALL 6 p.m. NBATV — Boston at Cleveland NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL 1 p.m. NBATV — Sioux Falls at Motor City NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: L.A. Chargers at Atlanta, Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, Indianapolis at New England, Tennessee at Washington FOX — Regional Coverage: Arizona at Minnesota, Seattle at N.Y. Jets, Houston at Jacksonville 4:05 p.m. FOX — Regional Coverage: L.A. Rams at New Orleans, Tampa Bay at Carolina 4:25 p.m. CBS — Philadelphia at Baltimore 8:20 p.m. NBC — San Francisco at Buffalo PEACOCK — San Francisco at Buffalo SKIING 12:30 p.m. NBC — FIS: Alpine Ski World Cup, Killington, Vt. SOCCER (MEN’S) 8:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Aston Villa at Chelsea 11 a.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester City at Liverpool Noon CBSSN — Serie A: Inter Milan at Fiorentina SPEEDSKATING 2 p.m. NBC — ISU: World Cup, Beijing (Taped) The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .
Ange Postecoglou searching for answers over Tottenham’s injury crisisSeven out of 10 adults said Luigi Mangione was not solely responsible for Brian Thompson's murder. A new poll conducted among Americans has revealed that roughly 7 in 10 adults believe that Luigi Mangione is not to be blamed for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson -- health insurance profits and coverage denials are. The NORC poll was conducted between December 12 and 16 among a total of 1,001 adults. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. About 8 in 10 adults said Magione has a "great deal" or a "moderate amount" of responsibility for the December 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. About 7 in 10 adults said that denials for health care coverage by insurance companies or the profits made by health insurance companies also bear at least a "moderate" amount of responsibility. About 7 in 10 said they heard and read "a lot" or "some" about Thompson's death. About 3 in 10 Americans said they have had a problem getting coverage from their health insurer in the last year. Luigi Mangione has been accused of murdering 50-year-old Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. On December 4, Mangione allegedly fired at Thompson in front of a hotel in New York. Mangione then fled NYC and was only arrested after five days in Pennsylvania. He was transferred from Pennsylvania to New York where he awaits his trial. Luigi Mangione has been lionized on social media and many prominent voices endorsed his murder projecting it as justice to those who died after being denied their insurance claims. A lot of funds for him have been pouring in while Luigi Mangione's merchandise has taken off. An earlier poll conducted by Emerson College revealed similar sentiments as 41 per cent said Luigi Mangione's alleged murder was acceptable. 24 per cent of US voters aged 19-29 said Mangione killing Thompson was somewhat acceptable, and 17 per cent said it was completely acceptable. Luigi Mangione had a serious spinal problem enough to have made him angry over the insurance industry but he was never a customer of UnitedHealthcare. He allegedly took up arms against Thompson as a vigilante.
Capitol One user reveals simple trick to get ‘hundred of dollars’ back from credit card companies – and it takes no work
Wall Street’s main indexes closed lower today, driven by a drop in AI leader Nvidia that weighed on tech stocks, as investors looked ahead to a crucial inflation report set for later this week. Nvidia fell 2.5% after China’s market regulator launched an investigation into the chipmaker over a suspected violation of antimonopoly law, dragging the information technology sector down 0.45%. Advanced Micro Devices slipped 5.7% after BofA Global Research downgraded its rating on the stock, weighing on the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which slipped 0.87%. “The market was taken a bit by surprise regarding China’s investigating (Nvidia) as a possible antimonopoly-law violation. So that’s one thing that’s putting a little damper on the market,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 240.59 points, or 0.54%, to 44,401.93, the S&P 500 lost 37.42 points, or 0.61%, to 6,052.85 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 123.08 points, or 0.62%, to 19,736.69. Nine out of 11 S&P 500 sectors lost ground, led by declines in financial stocks. Comcast slid 9.5% after forecasting a loss of more than 100,000 broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter, denting the communication services sector by 1.3%. Shares of Hershey surged 10.9% following a media report that Cadbury parent Mondelez was exploring an acquisition of the chocolate maker. Mondelez shares fell 2.3%. Investors are anticipating the consumer price index (CPI) data set for release on Wednesday, along with the producer price index (PPI) on Thursday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting on Dec. 17-18. Bets of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the upcoming meeting shot up to more than 85% after data on Friday showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.2% in November, indicating an easing labor market. Several Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, emphasized caution regarding the central bank’s approach to easing monetary policy due to the economy’s resilience. Wall Street’s main indexes started December on a positive note, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq both gaining in their first week, while the blue-chip Dow ended the week slightly lower. today, Workday rose 5.1% after S&P Dow Jones Indices said last week the company would be added to the S&P 500 index. Interpublic Group climbed 3.6% following a report that marketing giant Omnicom was in advanced talks to acquire the advertising company. Omnicom shares fell 10.3%. U.S. stocks soared in November after Donald Trump won the presidential election and his party secured control of both houses of Congress, raising expectations for a more business-friendly policy agenda. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.24-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 216 new highs and 35 new lows on the NYSE. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 122 new highs and 60 new lows. Volume on U.S. exchanges was 15.11 billion shares, compared with the 14.46 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Additional reporting by Purvi Agarwal and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru.The Two Faces Of Violence:
Earlier this week, FIIs made a substantial comeback, injecting Rs 11,100 crore into Indian equities over three sessions. Mumbai: After heavy selling, it now appears that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are likely to turn out consistent buyers when the market corrects further and valuations become attractive, market watchers said on Saturday. A perplexing feature of the recent FII activity is their highly erratic nature. For instance, in the three days from November 23-25, FIIs were buyers. But in the next two days, they again turned sellers, having sold equity for Rs 16,139 crore in the Indian market. "FII selling in November is lower than that of October. In October, the total FII selling through stock exchanges was Rs 113,858 crore. In November, this had come down to Rs 39,315 crore," an expert said. This can be partly attributed to the reduced valuations caused by the correction in the market. Earlier this week, FIIs made a substantial comeback, injecting Rs 11,100 crore into Indian equities over three sessions. This could signal renewed confidence in India's growth story amid global headwinds, providing hope for market stability in the near term, said Vikram Kasat, Head-Advisory, PL Capital-Prabhudas Lilladher. The trend of FII buying through the primary market continues. In November, FIIs bought stocks for Rs 17,704 crores through the primary market. According to experts, if we take the period up to November 29, the total FII selling for the year stands at Rs 118,620 crore. On Friday, the Indian stock market closed in green, as both the equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty witnessed a strong rally. Sensex closed at 79,802.79 after a gain of 759.05 points or 0.96 per cent. Nifty closed at 24,131.10 after a gain of 216.95 points or 0.91 per cent. The domestic stock market increased due to better investor sentiment and stock-specific activities. According to experts, "a large-cap-driven, broad-based rally ensued in the domestic market. Discretionary sectors performed well, benefiting from the festive season". Technically, the market remains in a consolidation phase, with little change in chart structure. "Traders are advised to avoid aggressive bets and be selective. It’s also crucial to monitor global factors closely, as they could influence market direction ahead of the weekly expiry," said Rajesh Bhosale, equity technical analyst, Angel One. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.US sanctions founder of Georgia’s ruling political party
Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing charged with murder in New York, court records showIt’s new and risky, but Gen Z workers are ‘all in’ on AI
Operations teams have confirmed NASA’s mission to “touch” the Sun survived its record-breaking closest approach to the solar surface on Dec. 24, 2024. Breaking its previous record by flying just 3.8 million miles above the surface of the Sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe hurtled through the solar atmosphere at a blazing 430,000 miles per hour — faster than any human-made object has ever moved. A beacon tone received late on Dec. 26 confirmed the spacecraft had made it through the encounter safely and is operating normally. This pass, the first of more to come at this distance, allows the spacecraft to conduct unrivaled scientific measurements with the potential to change our understanding of the Sun. Flying this close to the Sun is a historic moment in humanity’s first mission to a star. Nicky fox NASA Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate "Flying this close to the Sun is a historic moment in humanity’s first mission to a star,” said Nicky Fox, who leads the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By studying the Sun up close, we can better understand its impacts throughout our solar system, including on the technology we use daily on Earth and in space, as well as learn about the workings of stars across the universe to aid in our search for habitable worlds beyond our home planet.” Parker Solar Probe has spent the last six years setting up for this moment. Launched in 2018, the spacecraft used seven flybys of Venus to gravitationally direct it ever closer to the Sun. With its last Venus flyby on Nov. 6, 2024, the spacecraft reached its optimal orbit. This oval-shaped orbit brings the spacecraft an ideal distance from the Sun every three months — close enough to study our Sun’s mysterious processes but not too close to become overwhelmed by the Sun’s heat and damaging radiation. The spacecraft will remain in this orbit for the remainder of its primary mission. “Parker Solar Probe is braving one of the most extreme environments in space and exceeding all expectations,” said Nour Rawafi, the project scientist for Parker Solar Probe at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), which designed, built, and operates the spacecraft from its campus in Laurel, Maryland. “This mission is ushering a new golden era of space exploration, bringing us closer than ever to unlocking the Sun’s deepest and most enduring mysteries.” Close to the Sun, the spacecraft relies on a carbon foam shield to protect it from the extreme heat in the upper solar atmosphere called the corona, which can exceed 1 million degrees Fahrenheit. The shield was designed to reach temperatures of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt steel — while keeping the instruments behind it shaded at a comfortable room temperature. In the hot but low-density corona, the spacecraft’s shield is expected to warm to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. “It’s monumental to be able to get a spacecraft this close to the Sun,” said John Wirzburger, the Parker Solar Probe mission systems engineer at APL. “This is a challenge the space science community has wanted to tackle since 1958 and had spent decades advancing the technology to make it possible.” By flying through the solar corona, Parker Solar Probe can take measurements that help scientists better understand how the region gets so hot, trace the origin of the solar wind (a constant flow of material escaping the Sun), and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to half the speed of light. “The data is so important for the science community because it gives us another vantage point,” said Kelly Korreck, a program scientist at NASA Headquarters and heliophysicist who worked on one of the mission’s instruments. “By getting firsthand accounts of what’s happening in the solar atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe has revolutionized our understanding of the Sun.” Previous passes have already aided scientists’ understanding of the Sun. When the spacecraft first passed into the solar atmosphere in 2021, it found the outer boundary of the corona is wrinkled with spikes and valleys, contrary to what was expected. Parker Solar Probe also pinpointed the origin of important zig-zag-shaped structures in the solar wind, called switchbacks, at the visible surface of the Sun — the photosphere. Since that initial pass into the Sun, the spacecraft has been spending more time in the corona, where most of the critical physical processes occur. “We now understand the solar wind and its acceleration away from the Sun,” said Adam Szabo, the Parker Solar Probe mission scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “This close approach will give us more data to understand how it’s accelerated closer in.” Parker Solar Probe has also made discoveries across the inner solar system. Observations showed how giant solar explosions called coronal mass ejections vacuum up dust as they sweep across the solar system, and other observations revealed unexpected findings about solar energetic particles . Flybys of Venus have documented the planet’s natural radio emissions from its atmosphere, as well as the first complete image of its orbital dust ring . So far, the spacecraft has only transmitted that it’s safe, but soon it will be in a location that will allow it to downlink the data it collected on this latest solar pass. The data that will come down from the spacecraft will be fresh information about a place that we, as humanity, have never been. Joe Westlake Heliophysics Division Director, NASA Headquarters “The data that will come down from the spacecraft will be fresh information about a place that we, as humanity, have never been,” said Joe Westlake, the director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “It’s an amazing accomplishment.” The spacecraft’s next planned close solar passes come on March 22, 2025, and June 19, 2025. By Mara Johnson-Groh NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Media Contact: Sarah Frazier
- Previous: nice view photos
- Next: niceph bet