On This Day In Space: Sept. 22, 2006: Japan launches Hinode solar observatory (Image Credit: Space.com)
On Sept. 22, 2006,the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency launched a sun-observing satellite called Hinode, or Solar-B. It was named after the Japanese word for “sunrise.”
Related: The Greatest Missions to the Sun
The satellite orbits about 400 miles (644 kilometers) above the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit, which means it’s always facing the sun.
Since it launched, it’s been measuring the sun’s magnetic fields and taking cool photos of solar flares, sunspots and transits across the sun.
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