China launches first solar observation satellite(1/7)

A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

China launched its first solar observation satellite at 6:51 p.m. Beijing Time Thursday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.

The satellite is equipped with China's first solar telescope in space and will observe the deep-red H-Alpha line of the solar spectrum, enabling scientists to study solar flares.

It is called the Chinese H-Alpha Solar Explorer, or CHASE. It also has a Chinese name, Xihe, which is the name of the sun goddess in ancient Chinese mythology.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

[File photo] A Long March-2D rocket carrying China's first solar exploration satellite blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province, Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Taotao)

It was the 391st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.