Russia and Japan to look at the Sun together

07 April, 2009, 19:23

Russia and Japan have launched a joint program of observing the Sun, says a statement by Russia’s Space agency Roscosmos.

For the next six days, Russian Koronas-Foton and Japanese Hinode satellites will monitor the increased solar activity.

The beginning of a new 11-year cycle of solar activity has drawn out a scheme, and for a sufficiently long period of time, the surface of the luminaries were abnormally calm.

It is planned that the satellites will make about 50,000 simultaneous images of the Sun. Photos obtained from various points will help scientists gain a three-dimensional structure of coronary emissions – the emissions of masses that occur after the outbreak at a luminary.

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The scientists promise to announce the results after April 20.

The scientists say the preparations of the program started on March12, as it requires synchronal actions from both satellites.

The Russian satellite, Koronas-Foton was launched into orbit from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on January 30. The satellite is designed to study the characteristics of the solar atmosphere, as well as the powerful gamma-ray flares on the star.

The first shots of the sun made by Koronas-Foton were published on February 27.

Japan launched Hinode, which means Sunrise, in collaboration with the U.S. and UK. The satellite is planned as a three-year mission to explore the magnetic fields of the Sun.