Solar-B is an international mission to study our nearest star, the sun. To accomplish this, the Solar-B mission includes a suite of three science instruments — the Solar Optical Telescope, X-ray Telescope and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer.
The satellite’s polar orbit will allow its instruments to stay in continuous contact with the Sun for nine months of the year. SOLAR-B will operate for at least three years. Hinode’s operations center is located at JAXA’s facility in Sagamihara, Japan.
Observing sun is important: magnetic storms caused by solar explosions can trigger events ranging from satellite malfunction to serious electrical blackouts on our planet.
Full picture: Hinode Captures Mercury Transit, 11.14.06
Image credit: Hinode JAXA/NASA/PPARC
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