China launches space-based observatory to unravel the Sun's secrets

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 9, 2022. China lifted off the solar exploration satellite into space on Sunday, furthering the country's scientific endeavor to unravel the secrets of the Sun. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- China lifted off a solar exploration satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sunday, furthering the country's scientific endeavor to unravel the secrets of the Sun.

The Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) was launched aboard a Long March-2D rocket at 07:43 a.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its planned orbit successfully. 

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 9, 2022. China lifted off the solar exploration satellite into space on Sunday, furthering the country's scientific endeavor to unravel the secrets of the Sun. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 9, 2022. China lifted off the solar exploration satellite into space on Sunday, furthering the country's scientific endeavor to unravel the secrets of the Sun. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2D carrier rocket carrying the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 9, 2022. China lifted off the solar exploration satellite into space on Sunday, furthering the country's scientific endeavor to unravel the secrets of the Sun. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)