The Parker Solar Probe will make its closest approach yet to the Sun

Reminds me of this far side comic, https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/...

I don't get the Far Side. Could a Cliff Clavin chime in ?

Yeah I'm generally a big fan but that one is a bit obscure - according to this [0], it's just the incongruity of trained professionals in mortal danger using a childish nickname for the thing that's about to destroy them.

[0] https://www.cbr.com/the-far-side-confusing-comics-like-cow-t...

Those only smart enough to think of our local star as "Mr Sun" perhaps should not be piloting craft in its vicinity.

I think it's simply out of fashion. E.g., "Don't mess with Mr. In-between" is a line from the 1940's song "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive." It's addressing abstract entities in a personalized form, which --I assume-- is a style convention commonly understood at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qk9o_ZeR7s

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate_the_Positive

I learnt of this song through the fantastic series "The Singing Detective."

Children's song lyrics I heard growing up.

Sun, sun, Mr. Golden sun, sun shine down on me.