NASA WB-57F Aircraft Chases Moon's Shadow for Eclipse Science

• NASA’s WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft flew over Iceland to observe the August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse.
• Flying at 50,000 feet, the aircraft captured infrared observations of the Sun’s corona by avoiding atmospheric interference like clouds and water vapor.

Scientific Objectives

• Researchers aimed to solve the mystery of why the solar corona is significantly hotter than the Sun's visible surface.
• Data collected during totality helps scientists understand how energy and material flow through the corona, improving models of space weather.
• The corona’s plasma and magnetic structures offer insights into physical processes occurring throughout the universe.

Mission Execution

• Pilots from NASA’s Johnson Space Center operated out of Ellington Field in Houston, deploying to Iceland to track the path of totality.
• Pilot John Gustine maneuvered the aircraft to maximize time within the Moon’s shadow for optimal data collection.
• Sensor operator Cary Klemm managed camera systems in real-time, adjusting focus and exposure throughout the brief eclipse window.
• The success was the result of months of coordination between science teams, maintenance crews, and flight personnel.