# Hinode

> JAXA space observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q570562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q570562)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinode_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hinode

## Summary
Hinode, formerly known as Solar-B, is a space observatory launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to study the Sun's magnetic fields and solar phenomena. Launched in 2006, it provides high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic data to understand solar dynamics and their impact on Earth. It is part of the Solar Terrestrial Probes program, succeeding NASA's TIMED mission.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 22, 2006, at 21:36:00 UTC from the Uchinoura Space Center.
- **Operator**: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- **Launch Vehicle**: M-V rocket (M-V-7 configuration).
- **COSPAR ID**: 2006-041A.
- **Preceded By**: NASA's TIMED mission.
- **Succeeded By**: NASA's STEREO mission.
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of the Solar Terrestrial Probes program (STP 2).
- **Instruments**: X-ray Telescope (XRT), Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), and Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS).
- **Mission Status**: Extended operations beyond its initial 2-year mission.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Hinode launched?
A: Hinode was launched on September 22, 2006, at 21:36:00 UTC from the Uchinoura Space Center in Japan.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Hinode?
A: Hinode studies the Sun's magnetic fields, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections to understand solar activity and its effects on Earth's magnetosphere.

### Q: What happened after Hinode's initial mission?
A: Hinode's mission was extended multiple times due to its scientific success, with operations continuing into the 2020s despite initial plans for a 2-year mission.

## Why It Matters
Hinode revolutionized solar physics by providing unprecedented high-resolution observations of the Sun's atmosphere. Its instruments captured detailed images of solar magnetic structures, enabling breakthroughs in understanding solar eruptions and their impact on space weather. As part of an international collaboration (with NASA and UK partners), Hinode's data improved predictions of solar activity affecting Earth's magnetic field, satellites, and communication systems. Its extended mission highlighted its enduring value, filling critical gaps in long-term solar monitoring and contributing to models of stellar magnetic behavior.

## Notable For
- **High-Resolution Imaging**: Captured the first detailed observations of magnetic reconnection in the solar corona.
- **Extended Mission**: Operated far beyond its planned 2-year lifespan, continuing to collect data for over 15 years.
- **Original Name**: Initially called Solar-B before being renamed Hinode ("Sunrise" in Japanese).
- **International Collaboration**: Involved partnerships with NASA, the UK, and other countries for instrument development and data analysis.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Hinode was launched on September 22, 2006, aboard an M-V rocket from the Uchinoura Space Center in Japan. Developed by JAXA with international collaboration, it was designed to study the Sun's magnetic fields, plasma dynamics, and solar eruptions. The mission aimed to address key questions about the Sun's energy release and its influence on the solar-terrestrial environment.

### Instrumentation
- **X-ray Telescope (X-Vision)**: Captured high-resolution X-ray images of the solar corona to analyze magnetic activity.
- **Solar Optical Telescope (SOT)**: Provided visible-light observations of the Sun's surface and lower atmosphere with unprecedented resolution.
- **Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS)**: Measured plasma flows and temperatures in the solar atmosphere to study energy release mechanisms.

### Legacy and Impact
Hinode's observations led to significant advancements in solar physics, including insights into the triggers of solar flares and coronal heating. Its data supported over 1,200 scientific publications by 2020, demonstrating its broad scientific impact. The mission's longevity allowed it to overlap with other solar observatories like NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, enabling complementary studies of solar cycles. Hinode's success underscored the importance of international cooperation in space science, particularly in monitoring space weather critical to planetary defense strategies.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013