Parker Solar Probe 'touches' the Sun

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The Parker Solar Probe, launched by NASA in 2018, ended 2024 by nearly touching the untouchable - the sun.

On Christmas Eve - December 24th - NASA's solar probe set a record by flying 3.86 million miles, or 6.1 million kilometres, from the sun. That approach made the small probe the first - and fastest - object created by humans to come that close to the sun, according to a report in Forbes magazine. Its speed was clocked at 430,000 miles per hour, the equivalent of 692,000 kilometres per hour.

Nicola Fox, NASA's associate administrator for science missions, said in a Christmas Eve video that the probe had achieved the very mission it was intended for with its unprecedented flight so close to the sun.

This solar pass came as the probe made its 22nd approach since its launch more than six years ago. The probe is well-shielded for this latest plunge into the sun: More than four years ago it entered one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections ever recorded, according to NASA.

Deadline Extended for ARRL Foundation Scholarship Applications

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The ARRL Foundation has extended the application deadline to its Scholarship Program to Monday 13th January 2025 11:59 PM EST.

Information, including the link to apply, can be found on our website here: www.arrl.org/scholarship-program.

All applicants must be active, licensed amateur radio operators. More than 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000 will be awarded to deserving students.

ARRL News Scholarships - https://www.arrl.org/news/view/deadline-extended-for-arrl-foundation-scholarship-applications

YOTA Month Draws To A Close But Is Still Busy On The Air

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Youngsters on the Air Month is nearly at a close. It has been filled with some brilliant activity from young people using the special callsign GB24YOTA. Thank you to everyone involved, from supervising young amateurs to contacting them on the air. Before the year ends, we still have some activity using GB24YOTA, so please continue to listen out. Tomorrow, Monday 23rd December 2024, Hilderstone Radio Society will be back on the air as it hosts the callsign for a final time this month.

On Sunday the 29th of December, Bushvalley Amateur Radio Club in Northern Ireland will be operating GB24YOTA, followed by Marlborough Scouts on Monday the 30th of December. If you have been involved with Youngsters on the Air Month and would like your activity to be in a special RadCom feature, email your photos and a short report to comms@rsgb.org.uk as soon as possible.