This is a polar rather than an equatorial orbit and allows the instruments to remain in continuous sunlight for nine months of each year. The Solar-B instruments will observe how magnetic fields on the Sun's surface, called the photosphere, interact with the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, that extends millions of miles out into space. The instruments will work together to show how changes in magnetic fields deep inside the Sun erupt through the different layers of the Sun's atmosphere, creating the violent disturbances that sometimes affect us on Earth. The origin of the Sun's violent behavior lies with its magnetic field, which is generated deep in the star's interior. The magnetic field is buoyant and rises to the surface where it is often visible as sunspots, which are large concentrations of magnetic flux.
Energy is stored in the magnetic field.
Solar-B's scientific mission is to observe the distribution of the magnetic field at the photosphere where it first becomes visible and to study how it releases its energy to the surrounding atmosphere. The records of sunspot observations from 400 years ago indicate an extended period when sunspots were extremely rare, and the sunspot cycle even disappeared. Solar scientists have found suggestions that extremely small magnetic features in the solar photosphere are responsible for the changes in the luminosity. The heart of the Solar-B mission is a large solar optical telescope that is being developed by the Japanese Institute. To measure the magnetic fields, structures and flow patterns in the photosphere, NASA will provide a set of instruments for the telescope's focal plane.