Sun's Magnetic Field

In 2006, to shed new light on the sun's magnetic field and how it impacts life on Earth, NASA prepared major instrument components for launch on the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Solar-B spacecraft. "Solar-B will record how energy stored in the solar magnetic field is released as that field rises into the sun's outer atmosphere," said NASA's Larry Hill. Three instruments -- the Solar Optical Telescope, the X-Ray Telescope and the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer -- performed coordinated measurements of the different layers of the solar atmosphere. Continuous, simultaneous observations of specific solar features enabled the spacecraft to observe how changes in the magnetic field at the sun's surface spread through the layers of the solar atmosphere.

Solar-B, renamed Hinode, which means "sunrise" in Japanese, was launched on September 23, 2006. The spacecraft's mission was to investigate the Sun's magnetic field, the nature of solar flares, and the causes of the solar cycle. It was a multinational mission led by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with agencies including NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

The Hinode mission has contributed greatly to our understanding of the Sun and its processes. Here are some of its key findings:

1. Magnetic Field Observation: Hinode has provided unprecedented high-resolution images and movies of the Sun's photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, revealing the fine structure of solar magnetic fields. These observations have helped scientists understand how these fields change over time and have led to improved models of solar dynamics.
2. Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Hinode has observed the generation and evolution of solar flares and CMEs in detail. These phenomena occur due to the release of magnetic energy in the Sun's corona and can impact Earth's space environment.
3. Sunspots: Hinode has provided detailed observations of sunspots, areas on the Sun's surface that are cooler and less active. These observations have helped researchers understand the complex magnetic structures within sunspots and their role in solar activity.
4. Solar Oscillations: Hinode has captured oscillations in the Sun's corona, helping scientists to better understand wave propagation in this region and its role in heating the corona.

Hinode has been instrumental in improving our understanding of the Sun's magnetic field and its activity. The spacecraft continues to provide valuable data for solar physics research.