NASA aircraft captures solar eclipse shadow from high altitude

NASA has released an image captured from its WB-57F research aircraft as it chased the Moon's shadow during a total solar eclipse. The photograph, taken from a cockpit at an altitude of approximately 15,240 meters (50,000 feet) off the coast of Iceland, shows the solar corona emerging during the onset of totality.

By flying at this high altitude, above most clouds, dust, and water vapor, the aircraft was able to observe the eclipse in thinner air, which provides a clearer view of the corona than observations made from the ground. The flight was specifically piloted along the calculated path of totality to maximize the duration of the observation compared to a stationary observer on the ground.