A NASA WB-57F research aircraft observed a total solar eclipse from 50,000 feet off the coast of Iceland to capture high-resolution data.
Key facts
- •The mission took place on August 12 off the coast of Iceland.
- •The NASA WB-57F aircraft reached an altitude of 50,000 feet.
- •High-resolution cameras were used to record data above atmospheric interference.
- •Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury were visible in the video frame during totality.
On August 12, a NASA WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft flew off the coast of Iceland to observe a total solar eclipse. The aircraft was piloted to an altitude of 50,000 feet along the path of totality to record data from above atmospheric interference.
Observing Above the Atmosphere
By operating at 50,000 feet, the research team avoided clouds, dust, and atmospheric water vapor that typically hinder ground-based eclipse observations. The aircraft carried a suite of high-resolution cameras to document the event.
Visuals from the Cockpit
In-flight video footage captured the solar corona as it emerged at the start of totality. The footage shows the sky darkened within the Moon's shadow, with Venus visible to the left of the eclipsed Sun, and Jupiter and Mercury visible to the right. The horizon outside the path of the shadow remained bright.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
