May 21, 2012 Updated
Annular solar eclipse observed by HINODE and MICHIBIKI from space!
The Solar Physics Satellite “HINODE” and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 “MICHIBIKI” shot some images of an annular solar eclipse from space. The big astronomical event took place on the morning of May 21 (Mon.), and could be observed from many places in Japan including metropolitan areas.The HINODE captured a scene when the moon traveled across in front of the sun thus the black moon passed through in front of the solar corona. The MICHIBIKI captured images of the Earth where the area above Japan was blackened due to the moon’s shadow.
Left photo: Image shot by HINODE
Right Photo: Image shot by MICHIBIKI
- Solar eclipse images and movies captured by HINODE (Japanese language only)
- Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 "MICHIBIKI"
- Solar Eclipse from Space
May 19, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU critical phase completed!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st - Water "SHIZUKU", which was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on May 18, completed its critical operations as it was successfully inserted into the initial orbit and finished the AMSR2 run-up and other essential events normally. JAXA will take about 45 days to insert the satellite into the "A-Train orbit" in order to participate in an Earth observation mission called the "A-Train" in cooperation with satellites of other countries while performing the initial functional confirmation for about three months.
May 18, 2012 Updated
Successful launch of H-IIA F 21 with SHIZUKU and SDS-4 aboard!
The launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 21 with The Global Change Observation Satellite 1st - Water "SHIZUKU" and Small Demonstration Satellite-4 (SDS-4) aboard was successfully performed at 1:39 a.m. on May 18 (Fri.) 2012 (Japan Standard Time). The launch vehicle flew normally and separated the SHIZUKU at about 22 minutes and 59 seconds after liftoff. Then, the Small Demonstration Stellite-4 (SDS-4) was also confirmed to be successfully separated as scheduled. The SHIZUKU will conduct critical phase operations including deploying the AMSR2 antenna. We await your support messages!
May 14, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU Launch Live broadcast to start at 1:10 a.m. on May 18!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water “SHIZUKU” will be launched this weekend, at 1:39 a.m. on May 18 (Fri.) from the Tanegashima Space Center. JAXA will broadcast the live launch report from around 1:10 a.m. on May 18. You can watch it through some cable TV stations or websites, and via cell phones and smart phones. Please watch the SHIZUKU launch with us in real time!
May 8, 2012 Updated
SHIZUKU to be launched next weekend!
The Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water “SHIZUKU” was encapsulated by the payload fairing on May 4 (Fri) at the Tanegashima Space Center. The satellite is now in the very final preparation phase for launch scheduled next weekend.At the SHIZUKU special site (at the Japanese site only), we publish photos of hand-made craft of the SHIZUKU made by many of you. We continue to accept support messages as well as your hand-made SHIZUKU craft. Please join us!