ST. LOUIS -- It's been a big year for the sun. From April's total solar eclipse to the northern lights reaching as far south as Florida, the sun has made headlines again and again. Now, it's back in the spotlight as NASA's Parker Solar Probe prepares for a historic close encounter next week.

Dr. Joe Westlake, NASA's Director of Heliophysics, explains what makes this mission groundbreaking. The Parker Solar Probe will travel closer to the sun than any spacecraft in history, gathering crucial data about the sun's atmosphere, magnetic fields, and energy dynamics.

Scientists hope this mission will offer new insights into solar activity, including how solar flares and wind affect Earth's climate and communication systems.