He predicted the solar wind and shape of the Sun’s magnetic field

The visionary solar scientist Eugene Parker, whose name graces NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, passed away on 15 March at the age of 94.

In the mid-1950s, Parker developed the theory that predicted particles would flow out of the Sun, a theory that was proved correct in 1962 when Mariner 2 measured the solar wind. He also correctly hypothesised that the solar magnetic field would take on a spiral shape in the outer regions of the Solar System, due to rotation of the Sun’s magnetic field.

“The field of heliophysics exists in large part because of Dr Eugene Parker,” says Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for science. “Honouring his work by giving Parker Solar Probe his name is one of the proudest accomplishments of my career. Parker Solar Probe ‘touching the Sun,’ is a fitting accomplishment for his namesake mission.”

http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/

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