JAXA Hinode SOT Solar Image: Sunspot Activity - Active Region 11967

Active Region 11967 consisted of a major sunspot that released numerous solar flares in early 2014. 

Above is an image taken by the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) aboard Hinode in the Calcium II H line on Feb. 7, 2014 at 16:09 UT. 

Below is a wider view of Active Region 11967 as seen by SDO on Feb.12, 2014, at 01:35 UT. 

By studying the sun's magnetic field, scientists hope to shed new light on explosive solar activity that can interfere with satellite communications and electric power transmission grids on Earth and threaten astronauts on the way to or working on the surface of the moon. 

Solar Optical Telescope (SOT)

In particular they want to learn if they can identify the magnetic field configurations that lead to these explosive energy releases and use this information to predict when these events may occur. 

The Honide mission is led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and is a collaboration between the space agencies of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. 

NASA helped in the development, funding and assembly of the spacecraft's three science instruments. 

Hinode is part of the Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) Program within the Heliophysics Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, which are also responsible for the Solar Dynamcis Observatory (SDO). 

Image credit: NASA/JAXA/Lockheed Martin