Hinotori (satellite) facts for kids

Hinotori (ひのとり) was a special Japanese satellite that went into orbit around Earth. Its name, "Hinotori," means "phoenix" in Japanese.

This satellite was a big project by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, which is part of the University of Tokyo. It was launched into space on February 21, 1981.

What was Hinotori's Mission?

Hinotori was designed to study the Sun. It was an X-ray telescope, meaning it could "see" X-rays coming from the Sun. These X-rays are a type of light we can't see with our eyes.

Scientists wanted to learn more about solar flares. These are huge explosions on the Sun's surface. By studying X-rays from these flares, Hinotori helped us understand how they happen.

Why was Hinotori Important?

Hinotori was Japan's first satellite specifically for X-ray astronomy. It gave scientists new information about the Sun's powerful activity. This helped improve our understanding of space weather.

The satellite worked well for about a year. It sent back valuable data to Earth. This data helped scientists create better models of the Sun.

See also

In Spanish: ASTRO-A para niños

References

• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hinotori (ASTRO-A) mission profile