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During 2 - 18 January 2008 a pair of low-latitude opposite-polarity coronal holes (CHs) were observed on the Sun with two active regions (ARs) and the heliospheric plasma sheet located between them. We use the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) to locate AR-related outflows and measure their velocities. Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) imaging is also employed, as are the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) in-situ observations, to assess the resulting impacts on the solar wind (SW) properties. Magnetic-field extrapolations of the two ARs confirm that AR plasma outflows observed with EIS are co-spatial with quasi-separatrix layer locations, including the separatrix of a null point. Global potential-field source-surface modeling indicates that field lines in the vicinity of the null point extend up to the source surface, enabling a part of the EIS plasma upflows access to the SW. We find that similar upflow properties are also observed within closed-field regions that do not reach the source surface. We conclude that some of plasma upflows observed with EIS remain confined along closed coronal loops, but that a fraction of the plasma may be released into the slow SW. This suggests that ARs bordering coronal holes can contribute to the slow SW. Analyzing the in-situ data, we propose that the type of slow SW present depends on whether the AR is fully or partially enclosed by an overlying streamer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on scanning spectroscopic observations with the Hinode EUV imaging spectrometer, we have found a loop-top hot source, a fast jet nearby, and an inflow structure flowing to the hot source that appeared in the impulsive phase of a long-duration flare at the disk center on 2007 May 19. The hot source observed in Fe XXIII and Fe XXIV emission lines has the electron temperature of 12 MK and density of 1 x 1010 cm-3. It shows excess line broadening, which exceeds the thermal Doppler width by ~ 100 km s-1, with a weak redshift of ~30 km s-1. We have also observed a blueshifted faint jet whose Doppler velocity exceeds 200 km s-1 with an electron temperature of 9 MK. Coronal plasmas with electron temperature of 1.2 MK and density of 2.5 x 109 cm-3 that flow into the loop-top region with a Doppler velocity of 20 km s-1 have been identified in the Fe XIII observation. They disappeared near the hot source, possibly by being heated to the hotter faint jet temperature. From the geometrical relationships of these phenomena, we conclude that they provide evidence for magnetic reconnection that occurs near the loop-top region. The estimated reconnection rate is 0.05-0.1, which supports the Petschek-type magnetic reconnection. Further supporting evidence for the presence of the slow-mode and fast-mode MHD shocks in the reconnection geometry is given based on the observed quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hinode is Japan's third solar mission following Hinotori (1981–1982) and Yohkoh (1991–2001): it was launched on 2006 September 22 and is in operation currently. Hinode carries three instruments: the Solar Optical Telescope, the X-Ray Telescope, and the EUV Imaging Spectrometer. These instruments were built under international collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council, and its operation has been contributed to by the European Space Agency and the Norwegian Space Center. After describing the satellite operations and giving a performance evaluation of the three instruments, reviews are presented on major scientific discoveries by Hinode in the first eleven years (one solar cycle long) of its operation. This review article concludes with future prospects for solar physics research based on the achievements of Hinode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]