Jonathan O’Callaghan @Astro_Jonny
Most of us will be chancing our luck with cloud cover on the ground for the eclipse.
But NASA isn't taking any chances, with these two planes set to watch it from 50,000 feet.
Story by me @BBC_Future
4/2/24,
https://x.com/astro_jonny/status/1775275502951121186'I am stoked': What it feels like to fly through a solar eclipse Millions of observers will watch next week's American solar eclipse from the ground. But a few lucky Nasa flight crews will get a much closer view.
When a total solar eclipse crosses North America on Monday 8 April, an estimated 31 million people will be in its path – watching. Many more are likely to travel for the event, which will be visible across large swathes of the US and Mexico.
All the best planning in the world can be scuppered by weather, however, as anyone who remembers the August 1999 eclipse in the UK will tell you, when clouds blotted out the show. So, if you want to make sure you see a total solar eclipse, which only falls over a given location once every 375 years on average, what's the best way to do it?
Take to the skies and fly above the clouds, of course.
That's what four Nasa pilots will be doing, together flying two of the agency's specialised WB-57 planes off the coast of Mexico. Here, following the path of totality – or total darkness – from southwest to northeast, they will remain in the shadow cast as the moon crosses the sun for seven minutes, compared to just four minutes available on the ground, studying the eclipse with numerous instruments as they do so at an altitude of 50,000ft (15km).
"It's extremely exciting," says Nasa pilot Tony Casey, a sensor equipment operator (SEO) on one of the two aircraft. "I am stoked. I'm so excited to be able to fly this mission. I'm looking forward to just the experience of being there in this moment and the shadow overtaking you." …
https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20240328-nasa-jets-chase-solar-eclipse ⬇️ “The WB-57s are particularly suited to studying eclipses because of their long range – about 2,500 miles (4,000km) – and the large amount of time they can spend in the air, about six and a half hours. But they're not just used for eclipses, with Nasa also using the planes for other research or photography missions such as observing rocket launches.”
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Great opportunity for a few early planners
Southwest Airlines offering multiple flights in path of total solar eclipse The airline's planners determined that three of flights likely will offer the best view of the April 8 event.
By Brandon Rodriguez on Sat, Oct 21, 2023
Southwest Airlines is offering flights in the direct and partial paths of April's total solar eclipse, giving enthusiasts a chance to get up close and personal with the celestial phenomena, according to company officials.
On April 8, the path of totality for the eclipse will pass across Texas and several other states where Southwest operates.
The airline's schedule planners modeled the operational day against projections of the umbra and penumbra — shadows cast by the moon's eclipse of the sun — company officials said. As a result, Southwest flights 1252, 1721 and 1910 have the greatest likelihood of offering customers onboard the best view of the eclipse.
“With our flight schedule, we're able to offer hundreds of seats in the sky to view the eclipse," Southwest Airlines Chief Meteorologist David Dillahunt said.
https://www.sacurrent.com/news/southwest-airlines-offering-multiple-flights-in-path-of-total-solar-eclipse-32897259
