NASA plans to chase the moon’s shadow during solar eclipse 2 weeks away

NASA is preparing to track the solar eclipse scheduled for August 12. During this event, the agency will deploy a high-altitude WB-57 research aircraft to follow the moon’s shadow across the path of totality. This flight mission carries specialized camera equipment on its nose cone to capture detailed images of the sun’s corona.

The mission provides scientists a window to observe the corona for nearly three minutes. This duration is longer than the two minutes and eighteen seconds available to observers on the ground. By staying within the shadow, researchers aim to collect data on the sun’s outer atmosphere and how its dynamics affect the surrounding environment.

Partial visibility for this eclipse extends across large portions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of the United States, Canada, Europe, and northwestern Africa. Total eclipse conditions are limited to specific areas such as Greenland, Iceland, and northern Russia. NASA plans to broadcast the event live on its official website starting at 1:15 p.m. EDT.

This effort highlights the use of specialized aviation technology to gather scientific insights during rare astronomical events. The data collected from the solar corona helps researchers better understand the sun's influence on satellites and space infrastructure. You can follow the mission updates and watch the live feed directly through the agency portal.