The concept of touching the Sun can be traced back to the ancient Greek myth of Icarus, but scientists at NASA have turned that idea into a reality. On Dec. 24th, their Parker Solar Probe managed to travel to just within 3.

NASA is about to make history. Its Parker Solar Probe is set to fly closer to the sun than any object in history. The mission is years in the making.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made its closest fly-by of the sun yet, allowing it to collect samples that may unlock mysteries such as why the sun’s outermost layer — the corona — is so hot.

Launched in August 2018, the spaceship is on a mission to help forecast space-weather events that can affect life on Earth