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Hinode (Solar-B) overview   Solar-B, an observatory satellite for the study of the impact of the Sun on Earth.  Hinode (former Solar-B), was launched on Saturday 23 September 2006 at 00:36 CEST, from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Japan on board a M-V launch vehicle.
The mission , led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), sees the international participation of the United States (NASA), the United Kingdom (PPARC), and the European Space Agency (ESA) in a coordinated endeavour with Norway.  With its three advanced and highly sensitive telescopes (visible, X-ray and ultraviolet), Hinode (Solar-B) will be able to study the solar magnetic field at scales smaller than ever before, and connect its behaviour to the energetic and powerful processes at work on the Sun.  The orbit of Hinode (Solar-B) will be synchronised with respect to the Earth's revolution around the Sun. This particular geometry will allow the spacecraft to be in continuous sunlight for at least nine months a year during the planned mission duration of three years.  Launched in September 2006, Hinode (Solar-B) is an international mission with ESA participation. It will study the mechanisms which power the solar atmosphere and look for the causes of violent solar eruptions, leading to a better understanding of the complex connection between the Sun and Earth.  Hinode (Solar-B) is designed to provide precise quantitative measurements of the Sun’s magnetic field – the major engine at work to trigger violent solar activity such as solar flares and the powerful Coronal Mass Ejections. Mission Launched in September 2006, Hinode (Solar-B) is an international mission with ESA participation. It will study the mechanisms which power the solar atmosphere and look for the causes of violent solar eruptions, leading to a better understanding of the complex connection between the Sun and Earth. What’s special? Hinode (Solar-B) is designed to provide precise quantitative measurements of the Sun’s magnetic field – the major engine at work to trigger violent solar activity such as solar flares and the powerful Coronal Mass Ejections. Spacecraft  Hinode (Solar-B) is a sun-pointing spacecraft that weighs 900 kilos. It carries three scientific instruments: a Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), the first large optical telescope flown in space dedicated to observing the Sun; an X-ray Telescope (XRT), to provide coronal images at different temperatures; and a EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), an optical telescope designed to measure the flows of hot gas down to a level of 1 kilometre per second. Last update: 29 May 2007 |