Photos: NASA's eclipse-chasing jets and amazing images of solar eclipses

By Teena Maddox // August 4, 2017, 2:34 PM PST // teena_maddox

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Two WB-57 jets and a solar eclipse

The solar eclipse on August 21 will cross 14 states and will give millions of people a chance to see a once in a lifetime astronomical event. NASA will send up two WB-57 jets to photograph the eclipse so that a team of scientists can use the data for future research.
This illustration shows two NASA WB-57 jets flying during a solar eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/Bardur Eklund
WB-57 jet preparing for a test run

One of the WB-57 jets is being prepared for a test run at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The instruments are underneath the silver casing on the plane's nose.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Norah Moran – NASA – Johnson Space Center
WB-57 jet with optical sensors on the nose

The two WB-57 jets will observe the total eclipse for about three and a half minutes each as they fly over Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky. The jets will cruise over Tennessee as the eclipse is ending the period of totality.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Amir Caspi
Twin telescopes are mounted on the nose of each plane

Twin telescopes are mounted on the nose of each WB-57.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Amir Caspi
Each WB-57 will cruise at 50,000 feet altitude

At a cruising altitude of 50,000 feet, the sky is 20-30 times darker than as seen from the ground, with less atmospheric turbulence so that allowing fine structures and motions in the sun's corona can be visible. These WB-57 jets will be chasing the eclipse in 2017.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Amir Caspi
Southern Research specialist will collect data from the stratosphere

Southern Research's Donald Darrow will operate the AIRS instrument on a NASA WB-57 aircraft during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Southern Research
The AIRS/DyNAMITE optical sensor

Johanna Lewis, director of Engineering's Program Management Office at Southern Research, poses with the AIRS/DyNAMITE optical sensor that will provide a unique look at the stratosphere during the 2017 eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Southern Research
Three WB-57 jets flying over Houston

NASA has three WB-57 jets and two will be used to collect images and data from the solar eclipse. Here are the three WB-57 jets flying over Houston.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Southern Research
Total solar eclipse

A stunning view of a total solar eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/fotojog
Phases of a total solar eclipse

This shows each phase of a solar eclipse from partial to totality before and after the eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/Allexxandar
2016 solar eclipse in Indonesia

Here is a Citizen CATE (Continental America Telescopic Eclipse) experiment total solar eclipse 2016 low tide image in Indonesia. It was taken in March 2016.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Bob Baer
Partial solar eclipse

The moon is partially covering the sun in this image of a solar eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
2016 solar eclipse in Indonesia

A view of totality in the Indonesian solar eclipse in 2016.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Bob Baer
2016 solar eclipse in Indonesia

A diamond-ring like effect is visible at the end of totality in a solar eclipse. This is from the 2016 eclipse in Indonesia.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Bob Baer
The mystical appearance of the sun's corona

The magnetic structures of the sun, seen here, appear smooth and well-organized, and scientists will use images captured by NASA's WB-57 jets to research the corona.

Image: NASA
Solar eclipse coming out of totality

This image shows a solar eclipse beginning to come out of totality, creating the much-photographed diamond-ring effect.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/solarseven
Solar eclipse

Solar eclipse image.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/solarseven
2016 solar eclipse in Indonesia

Another image from the Citizen CATE Experiment TSE2016 observations in Tanjung Pandan, Indonesia in March 2016.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: Bob Baer
A camera and solar filter for photographing an eclipse

It's important to use a solar filter when photographing a solar eclipse to prevent damage to your camera. It's also essential to have a filter in place so that you do not damage your eye by viewing the eclipse through the camera lens.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/ruksil
Schoolchildren in Spain wearing solar eclipse protective glasses

Schoolchildren in Barcelona, Spain are seen here wearing protective solar eclipse glasses at Barceloneta beach during the 2015 eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: iStock/Rosmi Duaso
Map of totality for 2017 solar eclipse

A map of the US showing the path of totality for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
1918 solar eclipse map

The last time a total solar eclipse spanned the continental US was in 1918. Here is a map of the 1918 total solar eclipse, from the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac for the Year 1918.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
1979 solar eclipse map

The last total solar eclipse in the continental US was in 1979; totality was visible in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, as well as parts of Canada and Greenland. This 1979 map shows the solar eclipse path.
SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA
NASA's solar eclipse patch

NASA created a solar eclipse patch for the 2017 event.
Also see
- Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)
- Watch the solar eclipse of the century: When, where, and how (TechRepublic)
- How to take the best photos of a solar eclipse: Tips from the pros (TechRepublic)
- How to take video of a solar eclipse: Advice from the experts (TechRepublic)
- Video: How to be safe while viewing the 2017 solar eclipse (TechRepublic)
- Solar eclipse 101: This is why the sun disappears (CNET)
- How the total solar eclipse will steal your heart (CNET)
- NASA's unsung heroes: The Apollo coders who put men on the moon (PDF) (TechRepublic)
Image: NASA

Two WB-57 jets and a solar eclipse

The solar eclipse on August 21 will cross 14 states and will give millions of people a chance to see a once in a lifetime astronomical event. NASA will send up two WB-57 jets to photograph the eclipse so that a team of scientists can use the data for future research.

This illustration shows two NASA WB-57 jets flying during a solar eclipse.

SEE: Two NASA jets will chase the solar eclipse for never-before-seen images and massive data collection (TechRepublic)

Image: NASA/Bardur Eklund

About Teena Maddox

Teena Maddox is a Senior Writer at TechRepublic, covering hardware devices, IoT, smart cities and wearables. She ties together the style and substance of tech. Teena has spent 20-plus years writing business and features for publications including Peo...

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