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Shimizu Lab
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A lab that studies the mysteries of the solar corona using the Hinode solar observation satellite.
AboutAbout the lab
Solving the Sun's mysteries through the eyes of Hinode
The Shimizu Lab studies solar plasma phenomena as part of the Solar Hinode Group at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The lab aims to clarify everything from how magnetic fields form in sunspots to coronal heating, the mechanism that drives the solar wind, and the mechanism of solar flares.
The lab plays a central role in operating the Hinode solar observation satellite, and it carries out observational research using Hinode data and compares the results with numerical simulations.
The lab is also developing new observation instruments for the next-generation solar observation satellite SOLAR-C and for sounding rockets.
Key terms
- Coronal heating
- The mystery of why the Sun's outer atmosphere (the corona) is at temperatures above 1 million degrees
- Solar flare
- An explosion that occurs when magnetic energy is released all at once near the solar surface
- Microflare
- An explosive event much smaller in scale than a solar flare. Nanoflares are smaller still
- Plasma
- A state in which atoms are separated into electrons and ions, and electrically charged particles move around freely
NewsLab news
A doctoral student received the Outstanding Presentation Award from the Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences (SGEPSS)
A doctoral student received the Young Scientific Best Paper Award at APSPM-6
ResearchResearch themes
The lab conducts observational research on the Sun, including explosive phenomena on the solar surface and the formation of the solar corona, whose temperature exceeds 1 million degrees. While carrying out science operations and data analysis for the Hinode solar observation satellite, the lab is also developing instruments for the next observations.
*Illustrative imageSmall Explosions on the Solar Surface
Various electromagnetic explosive phenomena, such as microflares, have been observed on the solar surface. One of the lab's research themes is to clarify what physical processes cause them.
*Illustrative imageWhy Is the Solar Corona So Hot?
How the solar corona, made of plasma hotter than 1 million degrees, comes to exist has long been a mystery. The lab is trying to confirm through observation the hypothesis that many microflares and nanoflares are the source of the heating.
*Illustrative imageHinode Operations and Data Analysis
The lab plays a central role in operating Hinode, the solar observation satellite launched in 2006. It carries out observational research using the data obtained and examines the results by comparing them with numerical simulations.
*Illustrative imageInstrument Development for the Next Observations
The lab is developing new observation instruments and technologies for the next-generation solar observation satellite SOLAR-C and for sounding rocket experiments.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Shimizu Lab consist of faculty, researchers, doctoral and master's students, secretaries, and technical staff.As of 2026
- ProfessorToshifumi Shimizu
VoicesStudent voices
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Seki LabFaculty of Science, Department of Earth and Planetary PhysicsSolar-planetary system physics, electromagnetosphere physics…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images.
- Top image: “SOLAR-B artists concept” NASA/GSFC/C. Meaney / Public domain (cropped)
- Small Explosions on the Solar Surface: “Coronal Loops Reveal Magnetic Dance” NASA/SDO/HMI/AIA/LMSAL / Public domain (cropped)
- Why Is the Solar Corona So Hot?: “Sun in X-Ray” NASA Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres and Yohkoh Legacy data Archive / Public domain (cropped)
- Hinode Operations and Data Analysis: “Hinode Observes Annular Solar Eclipse, 4 Jan 2011” Hinode/XRT / Public domain (cropped)
- Instrument Development for the Next Observations: “Hi-C experiment launch on Black Brant IX Wff” NASA / Lee Wingfield / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Asgari-Targhi Lab): “Traceimage” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Amano Lab): “Supernova Remnant SN 1006” X-ray: NASA/CXC/Rutgers/G.Cassam-Chenaï, J.Hughes et al.; Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF/GBT/VLA/Dyer, Maddalena & Cornwell; Optical: Middlebury College/F.Winkler, NOAO/AURA/NSF/CTIO Schmidt & DSS / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Saito-Shinohara Lab (Space Plasma Division)): “Aurora borealis over Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska” United States Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Seki Lab): “Aurora Australis From ISS” ISS Expedition 23 crew / Public domain (cropped)
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