8.12.18

Launch date of the Parker Solar Probe, named for UChicago physicist Eugene Parker

1958

Year Parker predicted the existence of solar wind

4

Perihelia (close approaches in orbit) completed so far

35–50

Speed of the solar wind rotating around the sun, in kilometers per second, as measured by the probe

3.8

Closest the probe will get to the sun, in millions of miles

7

Distance, in millions of miles, at which dust around the sun thins (theorized but not observed until now)

59

Scientific papers resulting from mission data as of 2.3.20