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The Hakucho [CORSA-B] Satellite

Image of Hakucho

Corsa-B was the first X-ray astronomy Japanese satellite. Launched on 21 February 1979, it was renamed Hakucho (Japanese for “swan”) symbolizing one of the most interesting X-ray objects, Cyg X-1. As many other X-ray satellite launched in that period, Hakucho was designed to study and monitor transient phenomena with particular emphasis on X-ray bursts. It was still operating when the second X-ray Japanese satellite Tenma launched in 1983.

Mission Characteristics

Lifetime
21 Feb 1979–16 Apr 1985

Payload

Very Soft X-ray experiment (VSX)

Energy Range
0.1–0.2 keV
Effective Area
∼78 cm2 each
Field of View
6.3° × 2.9° (P; parallel)
24.9° × 2.9° (V; offset)
Four identical proportional counters with a thin polypropylene window. Two of counters (P) were located in a direction almost parallel to the spin axis at 2.7° offset. The other two (V) where located offset to the spin axis tilted 45°.

Soft X-ray experiment (SFX)

Energy Range
1.5–30 keV
Effective Area
69 cm2 (CMC)
40 and 83 cm2 (FMC)
32 cm2 (V)
Field of View
17.6° (CMC)
5.8° (FMC)
50.3° × 1.7° (V)
SFX consisted in 6 proportional counters with a Be window. Four of the counters (P divided in two CMC and two FMC) have a viewing direction parallel to the spin axis and the other two (V) were 45° tilted.

Hard X-ray experiment (HDX)

Energy Range
10–100 keV
Effective Area
45 cm2
Field of View
4.4° × 10.0° (FWHM)
HDX was a single NaI(Tl) scintillation counter located parallel to the spin axis with a small offset of 3°.

The instrument could be operated with different modes providing different energy and time resolution (with 5.86 ms minimum).

Science Highlights

  • Discovery of soft X-ray transient Cen X-4 and Aql X-1
  • Discovery of many burst sources
  • Long-term monitoring of X-ray pulsar (e.g. Vela X-1)
  • Discovery of 2 Hz variability in the Rapid Burster later named Quasi Period Oscillation

Archive

No data is available at the HEASARC

Hakucho at HEASARC More about Hakucho Gallery Publications

All Missions Time Ordered List Energy Ordered List