AI Insight
A Southwest Research Institute team successfully observed a total solar eclipse from NASA's WB-57 aircraft flying at 50,000 feet above cloud cover off Iceland's coast. The airborne observatory captured measurements of the solar corona across nine different wavelengths, from visible to infrared light, while following the moon's shadow. The high-altitude approach allowed the team to bypass weather obstacles that typically impede ground-based eclipse observations.
Why it matters
Airborne eclipse observations provide clearer, longer-duration data collection than ground-based methods, enabling more detailed study of the solar corona's structure and behavior. This approach could improve our understanding of solar phenomena that affect space weather and Earth's communication systems.
Understand the Science
Using unique equipment installed on NASA’s WB-57 aircraft flying above heavy clouds off the coast of Iceland, a Southwest Research Institute-led team successfully observed a total solar eclipse on Wednesday. The high-altitude jet followed the moon’s shadow at 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) to take measurements of the solar corona in nine different wavelengths, ranging from visible to infrared light.
Source: Airborne observatory improves views of solar corona during cloud-covered eclipse