Scientist Interview: Dr. Tony Case (Parker Solar Probe)

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More Detailed Interviews here:
Dr. Angela Olinto • Scientist Interview: D...
Felipe Ruiz • Scientist Interview: F...
Dr. Tony Case • Scientist Interview: D...
Total Design Video • The Parker Solar Probe...
Dr. Eugene Parker's 1958 Paper.
articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cg...
Checkout the instruments of the Parker Solar Probe:
www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/...
University of Chicago announces the naming of the Probe:
news.uchicago.edu/story/count...
Incredible media made by NASA Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Par...
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Destin

[@Oldmankingspiffy]

I want to know more about the sapphire insulation! Mind blown!

[@TusharKelshikar]

That and how were the orbits chosen. I mean, if we're going to Mars for instance, we usually pre-select the sites we would like the spacecraft to fly over. I hope Periodic Videos does a video on all these fancy metals.

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

Sapphire really is amazing. Most people are just too used to it being used in jewelry and it just kinda goes by unnoticed but it really is amazing stuff

[@anthonycase]

The main reason we use sapphire is that it is a really good electrical insulator, even at really high temperatures. Especially important in this application where we have to sustain up to 6000 volts!

[@qfc1313]

Is there anyway to see a picture of the inside?

[@htmagic]

Sapphires were also used on the 30,000 psi water jet system that cleaned the shells of the booster so they could be reused (up to 10 times). It's amazing that water at that pressure would erode even the hardest materials and even the fine sapphire nozzles got worn and had to be replaced! I know because I toured the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station next to Kennedy Space Center and saw where they took the booster shells segments on rail cars, cleaned them, then they would reassemble the segments (with the famous O-ring seals) and refill with propellant.

[@BrianChristmas]

I love it when intelligent people can talk about a subject in a manner that makes sense to me, the average Joe. The manner in which you, Destin, asked Dr. Case questions was very well done and extremely helpful. Great video!

[@Varksterable]

This is definitely one of the best scientific interviews I've seen. Enthusiasm, knowledge, character: check. (Not entirely sure about Destin's selfie shots, although having him in the footage is fine - tripod anyone?) But overall this is just +++.

[@Pants4096]

I've said it before, but here I am again: Your enthusiasm for learning, wonder, and exploration is so infectious. It's the root of why these scientists do what they do, and when an interviewer like you shares that same passion you can see in their eyes a shared excitement and love for the universe. THANK YOU for your excellent work bringing these conversations and topics to us in this unique medium. Did you ever imagine, way back when you and your sister first demonstrated that silly chicken's head-stability on youtube, that you'd be interviewing people like Dr. Case? Keep up the great work!

[@spicy110]

I get the feeling after all the interviews he did that day, this was the first interview he got to talk about the things he loves the technical and science side that most interviews just won't care about. That's why I love this channel it really is for people like us. If you are reading this you are on this video and I know you get what I mean.

[@nymalous3428]

I just watched all three interviews. That was really awesome that those people were willing to take the time to talk to you. What a great experience. I wonder if future missions to the sun will attempt to measure the neutrinos? Maybe you could pioneer that, Destin...

[@SeanFalloy]

We need a reliable way to detect them before its worth spending all that money to send a detector up there.

[@enoughofyourkoicarp]

So when I was a kid I took a cup of water out of a pond to see what was in there for a school science project, now these guys are taking a cup of star light to see what it does before it ends up in my pond. I find that both awesome and beautiful at the same time.

[@AdamJRichardson]

Saw that the Wikipedia entry for Niobium now has a mention of it being used in the wires of the Parker Solar Probe, with reference back to this interview!

[@HugoDahl]

I loved seeing just how _thrilled_ Dr. Case was to talk about the science which he obviously really enjoys. That is a person who is doing what they love, and seemed like he really had the right audience with Destin, who knows enough engineering to ask the good technical questions, but not in the right "type" of engineering to shed light on what they do, and how they do it. This has been a fascinating and eye-opening series!

[@robsadler5605]

This interview with Dr. Tony Case was absolutely amazing! Thank you Dr. Case and Destin for providing us with the opportunity to enjoy and learn about this project.

[@Varksterable]

All the full interviews are amazing. I didn't watch them at first, assuming Destin had just edited the dull bits out on his main channel. WRONG. The passion, intellect and enthusiasm these people have should, imo, make these mandatory watching for anyone who can even vaguely comprehend them. Truely smarter every day.

[@u6106l]

Interesting interview style. I think your the good doctor appreciated it after a day spent with talking heads.

[@SmarterEveryDay2]

I call the interview style "being a real human".

[@anthonycase]

As you can probably tell, I can talk to ANYBODY about this and have a blast. But I would agree; this was a particularly fun interview :)

[@u6106l]

Glasses firmly affixed to my head. Task one; Reread my original post. Task two; Apologize to the entire education system. Not sure where the "your" came from, but I am glad you enjoyed yourselves.

[@quecuentas3]

@@SmarterEveryDay2 is just crazy enough it just might work

[@DForce26]

I love how Destin was saying, you cant measure coronal mass ejections, right, that would fry it! And Tony was like... No problem dude! :p

[@JohnFosterTakesPhotos]

Outstanding interview. Dr. Case is a great communicator.

[@dylanbiddle123]

I love the scientist interviews. It would be great if we could hear more interviews with scientists who push the boundaries of knowledge to make us all smarter every day.

[@Hirosjimma]

I need a Tshirt with the Parker Solar Probe and below that "Taking a coronal mass ejection to the face for science"

[@spicy110]

I would buy that! Haha

[@mateo130]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[@gmirreh]

Experiencing these interviews has been wonderful. I'm 48 yrs old and I feel like a kid who just discovered there's a candy shop within reach of my house. So excited. More of this please. 3/3

[@jeffirwin7862]

I just hope a Parker Solar Probe isn't anything like a Parker Square.

[@AverageThinking]

Jeff Irwin I was thinking the same thing! I was thinking it would be a “close but no cigar” solar probe, lol

[@cosmicphoto05]

A Smarter Numberphile crossover. Love it!

[@Varksterable]

It certainly wasn't a Parker Launch. So here's hoping...

[@larrychilds1327]

I came here specifically for this comment.

[@giuliani3570]

or Parker Schnobel from Gold Rush

[@wesleyhewitt8860]

I NEED more of this

[@MortenGuldager]

Watched all 3 second channel interviews and also the "appetizer" on the main channel. Somehow I like the 2nd channel style so much more. Keep up the good work, in my opinion you don't have to condense your videos so hard.

[@alex0589]

Right? They work well together, i love both styles, i wouldn't just watch these dense interviews without the main videos. I'm not a scientist or even well educated, just curious so i need a "trailer" to get me in here.

[@MortenGuldager]

Well, we are here with the same background and for the same reason. Difference is that Destin made enough "trailers" to get me on board a long time ago. Now I just follow and watch what ever he makes. Chances he make something that would interest me are pretty good. And of course I would love to see "full length episodes" on all the other topics he might have material for regarding the Parker thingy. A am fully aware this is _my_opinion_ and Destin should do whatever _he_ feels right.

[@averageaf4321]

I know this video is about a year old, but i love this kind of stuff and im so happy you keep un-edited bulk footage of some of these people, obviously theyre not exactly bit sized for the average viewer but these are actual gold mines of information.

[@aiboffin295]

I’ve watched you scientifically mow a lawn, discharge firearms at tiny little pieces of glass, laugh as exploding pieces of banana splash upon your friends face and backhandedly peddled a bike but I’ve never been more jealous of you as I am now, as you interviewed three of the most intriguing people I’ve never even heard of before and wish I could socialise with on a regular basis. Your my Cassini! Except your still going.

[@treeclimbing7798]

Great job putting these interviews together. Shout out to everyone allowing you to interview them 👍🏼

[@sahibjot01]

Love these interviews! So grateful. Thanks

[@mihauinfamous]

Back when Corona had a totally different connotation.

[@pritemloo]

Thanks a lot for doing this interviews, both enlightened and inspired

[@PhilippeAlvesSK]

Those guys are sitting on the shoulders of a giant. I am not part of it but I don't know why I am thankful for Dr. Parker.

[@zeeslangyacht7916]

Thats just crazy and cool!!! Thank you for showing stuff like this!

[@P_Factor]

I like how Destin starts the interview semi-formally on the other side of the table at the beginning and then after a few minutes as he’s getting more interested and more comfortable he’s on the same side of the table practically in his guest’s lap!

[@P_Factor]

Also only Destin can blurt out “What are you talking about!?” in the middle of an interview like they’re just two bros chatting in the garage.

[@Rubiastraify]

Thanks so much for these interviews! It gives the public an "in" on understanding this better, and most engineers and scientists like talking about their work.

[@RobToemik]

AMAZING STUFF!!!!!!! Thanks so much for all you do and turn round to offer US!!! A TRUE SUPER HERO!

[@ToddLarsen]

That was so awesome! Thanks for sharing and as always Keep Building👍

[@jonbar140]

I love how Tonys smile grows bigger as he realizes more and more that Destin a actually understands him and enjoys this stuff. He's been talking to reporters all day lol

[@anthonycase]

Sometimes I start talking and people's eyes glaze over (media included). And sometimes they're genuinely interested and have a technical background that allows me to get even deeper into details. It is definitely more fun to chat with the latter type. Destin was definitely in that category!

[@binarysource]

@@anthonycase Your obvious passion for the material shines through as well - it's great when someone explains this stuff so that an educated layman can truly get an inkling of what is going on.

[@norm1124]

Great interview. Thank you

[@chrishawk93]

I wish each interview was at least 1 hour long, it's so fascinating! Great job btw :D

[@manaspatke5940]

This was by far the most mechanically smart machine I got to learn about deeply.Thank you Destin!

[@TheCalvinSkinner]

Thank you for posting the whole thing! Ever think about posting all of your interviews ever?

[@robsadler5605]

I would love to see more interviews of Dr. Case.

[@plasmahead2]

"Right to the face! " Love it, Good work all around!

[@thanostitan.infinity]

I loved these interviews, big thanks for sharing. I really want to know more about sapphire insulation! Just shared them with my sister, she'd love them too

[@adamemac]

Fascinating content, as always, Destin

[@roosterandco]

I had the same reaction to "Niobium", so I paused the video to go read about it. Citation #103 on the Niobium wikipedia article, somewhat interestingly, linked directly back to the exact point in this interview video I had paused at on the main channel. That's fun and all, but at the same time, I want more direct avenues to hear from the brilliant people doing such inspiring work on the behalf of humanity. Science is done for everyone, and I have so many questions like mark Roper's in the comments here.

[@hereslookingatyoukid]

Destin your videos always give me perma-smile :)

[@jagmarz]

I think the 4th power thing you were thinking of was radiant heat transfer, right? Only it's the 4th power of temperature, not distance. Still, I'd think that would be some kind of consideration for this probe...

[@kgeorge96]

This is a great interview!!!

[@shamsow]

*Instead of going through all that trouble, they could have just sent it in at night when the Sun is off*

[@AlexKnauth]

But then the solar wind would be off too... The whole point is to measure stuff about the Sun up close while it's "on". /s

[@shamsow]

@@AlexKnauth Hmm very true, I hadn't thought about that

[@siddarth_vader]

Alex Knauth, this isn't reddit

[@shamsow]

@@AlexKnauth How about sending it in during winter when the Sun is colder? That would have saved all the time and resources spent trying to make it so it can withstand the Sun's full heat 🤔

[@asdfghyter]

They did actually launch it at night. These are smart people, so they probably realized that it is a good idea too.

[@marylagua5079]

So much fascinating things to learn and experience.

[@MarkJonesisjustaman]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@guillaumeboehm8888]

This is so cool seing those two having so much fun talking about stuff they love at a technical level XD

[@timmallette1888]

Great interview

[@mateo130]

I loved when you touched the wires and made us realize how simple is that in the end. But getting there... it is way tooo complicated. I just cannot imagine how these people strike out all the possible defects. Because they only have one shot, literally :)

[@johnhartney7576]

This is so interesting! I should be sleeping since I have work in the morning but the idea of understanding this project is too attractive!

[@clayz1]

As a machinist I really like that little angled fitting connecting the larger tubes. Neat.

[@j.harris83]

Grate camera control !!!

[@jasoncummings4994]

I just want to say WOW!!!!!!! I love it all!!!

[@markroper9269]

Awesome videos! I want to know more about the screens on the collector, more about the construction of the shield protecting everything, how do those magnetometers do what they do and function to provide data, and the solar panel cooling and the "dump" of excess heat to space. I studied physics, chemistry and biology in college.....ended up in construction, the travel business, and IT. Thank you for sharing that glimpse into "hard" science in a way most of us can understand.

[@anthonycase]

The screens (or "grids" as we call them) are made from a monolithic piece of tungsten that is then chemically etched (they mask off the bits we want to remain, and then etch away the rest). The result is a criss-cross pattern that is 90% empty space and it allows us to create an electric field in the instrument, but still allows particles to flow through them.

[@marylagua5079]

A lot to learn. Thank you. :)

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

Fantastics video Devin, now onward to the Launch, is that something you're planning for your Sound Traveler Channel ?

[@semaj_5022]

This was so interesting! And the Parker probe is out there doing it's work right now and I love learning a bit what it's doing and how and why. Stuff like this is why I could never hate humanity. Look what we can do!

[@makingthings277]

Last thing I heard, sapphire was also used in watches for precision bearings and waterjet cutting machines for presision microscopic cutting by way of abrasive slurry (without losing tolerance).

[@j.harris83]

Need to up vote this more than once!!!!!!!

[@kashmirha]

Why is it in second channel Absolute amazing from both sides!!!

[@ccandantube]

Superb interview! This is the same spirit of americans that we love and remember from the first days of space exploration. Nice to confirm that it still founds a place in today's rather strange USA...

[@josiahhanan596]

Find out about the sapphire!! This is so cool!! Keep it up!

[@his-story.]

Love you both.....💪

[@zapfanzapfan]

Awesome interview! "I understand wrenches" :-)

[@giuliani3570]

Gotta say Destin, I like your 2nd channel a lot more then the 1st.

[@blackwolf7777]

First time ever hearing the term "Fantastaloid." I love it. Where did you first hear that word?

[@MisterTingles]

"how do you insulate something like this?" - "oh, with magic..." #ElbowsMadeOfSaphire

[@alex0589]

"So basically, you made an unobtainium old tv in reverse"

[@deathpyre]

One thing I am curious with this is... do they have to worry about the solar mass building up inside the cup? Do they have to amplify values because they might be dampened by mass filling the cup?

[@Kockafalva]

stupid question: If the offcenter gravity to the center of pressure is causing so many problems and fuel usage (by desaturating the reaction wheels), then why not shape the spacecraft in a way, that it compensate for it? For example: something the same shape on the other side. To make it symethrical.

[@MsSomeonenew]

They can just slightly shift the mass and it's balanced without adding any unnecessary parts.

[@derauditor5748]

@MyBalls my thoughts exactly.

[@feelingzhakkaas]

Great information. Does the light from sun gets diffracted from the sharp edges/corners of the instrument plate and get directed to shielded portion of probe ?

[@ToddLarsen]

Pow! Mind blown, rubys and what? I've never heard of that material.

[@manaspatke5940]

Between 5:32 and 5:33 you can see Destin's face transition to the 'No way, that is impossible ' face

[@dannyhiggs7814]

I really enjoyed this interview. A couple questions came to mind: 1) if alpha particles are hitting the collector, does this not result in a build up of mass inside the collector? If the solar wind is not balanced in terms of charge, i.e. having an appropriate number of electrons, would this not also result in a net increase in the charge of the spacecraft? 2) If the shield needs to be cooled anyway, wouldn't a heat engine suffice? I'm guessing it would introduce additional complexity, but I have to imagine that it would produce all the power you could want, and that it would potentially reduce the radiator size?

[@JaredSymonds]

Sounds like you need to make a trip to the solar test chamber at MSFC...

[@iinRez]

I love this.

[@itsjjbones]

Your nerdyness is transferring to me.

[@soheilx]

It's 2021, and we have another Corona too. Help us Parker! ;) [Superb content]

[@zachell1991]

@9:17 why not just add another to the other side to have even torque? or just a blank plate made of the same materiel?

[@zachell1991]

I guess it adds weight but if it was a blank counter balance(for lack of better word) it seems like it would not add to much weight if it is saving on long term fuel.

[@beachboardfan9544]

Did that Niobium come from Reading PA?

[@h0ll1s]

Hahah space weather, can we have space weather reporters?? Also nice questions, super interesting.

[@khajiit92]

with r^4 i think you might be thinking of the expansion of the universe where the energy density of radiation has a 4th power. (3 for the 3 dimensions that are expanding so volume increases + 1 from redshift due to expansiopn of space so the energy decreases).

[@CaslavNorisavljevic]

All the science, history and effort behind this and all i want to comment is: First

[@mortoopz]

"Right to the face" :)

[@HugoDahl]

Bull!

[@nicksamek12]

At 8:00 I think Destin was thinking of radar, it drops off at r^4 because you have to go there and then bounce back.

[@cl0udbear]

1/r^2 is the inverse square law for decrease in signal strength (i.e. radiation density). Are you thinking of flow rate through a tube? Or thermal radiation from a black body being proportional to its temperature^4

[@th3rdeyeopen]

So that's powered by a niobium/ sapphire coax cable because of the heat or the voltage or both?

[@AceKaci]

Why doesn’t the electric field in the second mesh throw off the magnetometers? Isn’t that generating an electromagnetic field? Is it similar to the reaction wheels, and can be accounted for in equations since it’s a known value? Why didn’t they put the Faraday cup in the center of the shield to keep it symmetrical and reduce torque? Would it have transferred too much heat to the instruments behind it? If so, was there no way to put another smaller shield between it and the other instruments? Would that have made it heavier than the model that was used?

[@reksuhaksarben8249]

For those who want details about the "mathy things" near 7:38, when Destin said "R to the 4th", he might've been thinking about the Stefan-Boltzmann law: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan%E2%80%93Boltzmann_law#Temperature_of_the_Sun

[@plusplusplusfuly]

hey Justin, just curious, don't know if you asked Dr. Tony this. If the "cup" is literaly the main instrument on the probe, why they only build 1. Sure they have tested it for years. But i think another 1 (maybe place it on the another side of TPS) is better, not only for redundency, but also the data that we get from 2 instruments, certainly better than just only 1. If there is glitch in the data, with only 1 we can't for sure know if it was the instrument error or not, we don't know if the data it provide is absolute accurate all the time. From 2 instruments, we can compare 2 set of data. With really decades of work, and billions of money. I think it still better to build 2 sets of the instruments. We literaly charting new teritory here, certainly more data (even if the data we get from those 2 set of data is the same all the time) is always better. I don't know, it just my curiousity. Great video, thank you for sharing.

[@anthonycase]

I wouldn't call the cup the "main" instrument. It is one 2 instruments that measure ions, and one of 3 instruments that measure electrons (the other instruments are back behind the heat-shield (called the thermal protection system, or TPS). So there is some redundancy built in, it's just done by using different types of instruments rather than two of the same type. Also, some of the science objectives can be addressed by other types of measurements (like the magnetic and electric fields instruments, for example).

[@vennic]

r^4 is a function of resistance of flow through a cylinder based on it's radius, correct?

[@candykanefpv98]

One thing I was curious about is how theyll orient it. What is being used for propulsion to keep it facing the sun (to counteract that torque). I know they said there's going to be a kilo of water on it. Could that be used as mild propulsion since steam expands like a thousand times its volume as water.

[@anthonycase]

The water is a closed loop just for cooling. The orientation is accomplished with momentum wheels. (Think about them like this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5S1k2Ouq7V9aK8 , but we have multiple wheels and we change the speed of them rather than changing the orientation). Because they're not totally efficient, eventually we have to use thrusters to "spin down" the wheels. So our limiting resource for the spacecraft lifetime is the fuel that our thrusters use.

[@vast634]

That Instrument looks like its build really tough, with thick metal sheets. Is that necessary on a probe? Does the probe experience such high G-forces after launch? Its all added mass after all that the probe has to accelerate.

[@adarshyadav8802]

Density changes as 1/r^2 I assume that they have used Photon Density=no.of photon/volume (i.e particle flux/speed of light) But interestingly Gravitational force also changes by 1/r^2 Question is Is some how gravity is involve in the Density change of photons?

[@_Matyro_]

Is the camera mostly made of titanium? At that high temperatures the stability of most "normal" materials would be reduced quite a lot

[@rplaughl]

So, basically, they correlate the measurements taken in the corona with the Parker instrument with measurements taken on earth (or near earth) to then be able to predict space weather effects on earth based on future near earth measurements of the sun and its ejections?

[@makingthings277]

And a personal question if you could: Do you have a preference for an online college for electrical engineering? I know your mechanical, but your deep in that world.

[@johnhartney7576]

How should I go about figuring out which type of engineering to pursue? I like pretty much everything that moves, and I like knowing the exact reason why something happens, or how something works. This is why I think engineering is a good fit for me, but how do I know which type? If you or anyone could offer some insight, I would be so grateful. Also, I am a high school senior and am about to start taking physics.

[@ripsumrall8018]

Well I'm not an expert but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Mechanical engineering for starters. Add on Electrical. From what you've said I think that would cover it. Good luck and keep those student loans down!!!

[@svetievboris]

I know what unobtainium is a reference to, but what is fantastaloid (am I even spelling it right)?

[@galileoleo13]

Hey Destin, whats about these black bars?