NASA's High-Altitude Jet Captures Total Solar Eclipse Over Iceland
On August 12, NASA flew a WB-57F research aircraft at 50,000 feet off Iceland to record a total solar eclipse from above the clouds.
NASA deployed its WB-57F high-altitude research plane on August 12 to fly along the precise track of a total solar eclipse off the coast of Iceland. At an altitude of 50,000 feet, the aircraft stayed within the Moon’s shadow long enough to record the event with a suite of high-resolution cameras, avoiding clouds, dust and water vapor that hinder ground observations. Video from the cockpit shows the solar corona emerging as totality begins, with Venus visible to the left and Jupiter and Mercury appearing to the right of the eclipsed Sun. The bright horizon beyond the shadow highlights the contrast between illuminated and darkened sky. These measurements aim to improve scientific understanding of the Sun’s outer atmosphere and refine eclipse-related models.
Why it matters
Observing the eclipse from high altitude yields clearer data on the solar corona, advancing space-weather research.
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