The probe has incrementally approached the sun by utilizing gravitational assists from Venus to accelerate. (Image: NASA, JPL, Horizons system)

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is on a daring mission to get closer to the sun than ever before. On Christmas Eve at 6:53 a.m. ET, it will break its own record for the nearest approach to the sun at 6.1 million kilometres (3.8 million miles). It will also be the fastest human-made object ever, reaching a scorching speed of 430,000 mph (700,000 km/h).

This close encounter will be a major milestone in our quest to understand the sun's atmosphere, the corona. The probe will use this opportunity to collect data on the solar wind and the sun's magnetic field. This information will help us better predict space weather events that can impact Earth.

The Parker Solar Probe is expected to make several more close flybys in 2025 before its fuel runs out. It won't get much closer than it will on Dec. 24, but the data it collects will be invaluable for scientists. It'll resume communications with NASA on Dec. 27 when it's far away enough from the sun.