Ginga (satellite) facts for kids
Ginga (pronounced Gin-gah) was a special Japanese satellite launched into space. Its name means "galaxy" in Japanese. It was like a space detective, designed to study things far away in the universe, especially using X-rays.
What Was Ginga?
Ginga was an artificial satellite, which means it was a machine built by people and sent into orbit around Earth. Satellites like Ginga help scientists learn more about our planet and the universe. Ginga was specifically designed to be an X-ray telescope. This means it could "see" X-rays coming from space, which are a type of light we can't see with our eyes.
Who Launched Ginga?
The launch of Ginga was a big project led by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). This institute is part of the University of Tokyo in Japan. ISAS is like Japan's space agency, similar to NASA in the United States, and they are experts at designing and sending spacecraft into orbit.
When Did Ginga Go to Space?
Ginga was sent into orbit on February 5, 1987. It was launched from a special site in Japan. Getting a satellite into space is a very complicated process that requires powerful rockets and careful planning.
What Did Ginga Study?
As an X-ray telescope, Ginga's main job was to observe X-rays from different objects in space. These X-rays come from very hot and energetic places, like black holes, neutron stars, and supernovas (exploding stars). By studying these X-rays, scientists could learn more about how these extreme objects behave and what the universe is made of.
