SAXSI

SAXSI is a proposed upgrade to the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission. It stands for Solar Aspect eXperiment and Spectrograph Imager. The primary goal of SAXSI is to provide high-resolution measurements of the Sun's corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. It aims to observe phenomena like coronal heating and solar flares with unprecedented detail.

SAXSI is designed to consist of two main components: a soft X-ray telescope and a spectrograph. The telescope would capture images of the corona in soft X-ray wavelengths, revealing structures and dynamics. The spectrograph would analyze the light from these structures to determine the temperature, density, and velocity of the plasma in the corona. This information is crucial for understanding the fundamental processes driving solar activity.

The scientific objectives of SAXSI are to investigate the energy transport and dissipation mechanisms within the corona, study the evolution of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and improve our understanding of the solar wind. By providing simultaneous imaging and spectroscopic data at high spatial and temporal resolutions, SAXSI would offer a more comprehensive view of these complex solar phenomena than currently available.

SAXSI is a concept that has been studied as a potential follow-on mission to SDO. While not yet approved for construction, its scientific goals are considered important for advancing solar physics research. The development of SAXSI would build upon the legacy of SDO and contribute to a deeper understanding of our Sun's dynamic behavior and its impact on the heliosphere.