National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Solar and Plasma Astrophysics Division : Overview
English / Japanese
The Sun is a star only 150 million kilometer away from the earth. The
earth is full of life, not freezing cold, owing to the energy supplied
from the Sun. Occasionally the Sun shows "flare explosion", and the
blast wave reaches the earth in about one day and shakes the
magnetosphere and produces aurorae. In the Division of Solar and Plasma
Astrophysics, we are studying the Sun from its interior to the surface
and to the outer atmosphere (the corona), using both of the ground-based
and space based solar telescopes. Our challenge is to understand the
mechanism of the Sun's magnetic activity and its influence on the earth
and human activity.
The Sun is an ordinary fixed star, but it is the nearest star. The Sun dominates in the solar system as its leader, and the Sun gives an influence on our every activity. Because almost all the phenomena happening in the universe are also thought to happen on the solar surface and in the Sun, the investigation of the Sun is the royal road for astrophysics to understand the universe, and it is the shortest route, as well.
We, the Solar Science Observatory, push forward an advanced study of solar physics, while utilizing data taken by artificial satellites and large facilities on the ground to the maximum, and developing the advanced instruments for observation. We push forward the scientific operation of the Hinode satellite in cooperation with Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, and support the studies using the data obtained by Hinode. We carry out long-term continuous observation via our facilities in NAOJ, and provide data for joint studies. Theoretical considerations and computer the simulations are necessary tools for the analysis of these data, we also help develop them as important research methods.
We aim to carry out the SOLAR-C satellite mission that follows the 3rd Japanese space solar observatory HINODE for elucidating a link between solar magnetic fields and solar activity.
It has been found from HINODE observations that there are ubiquitous unexpected activities of tiny jets and waves in
the 104 K temperature chromosphere, and a new small-scale heating event with dynamical motions at the base of the corona near the chromosphere.
These are understood to be phenomena strongly associated with the magnetic field on the Sun.
Based on unprecedented high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations the SOLAR-C will resolve the scale size of magnetic field structure over the solar atmosphere from the photosphere to the corona that have been found from HINODE observations.
It will reveal the origins of solar activity through the measurement of magnetic fields in the chromosphere.
Last Update: 2017 April 2
Solar Science Observatory