All articles tagged with #high altitude aircraft
NASA used a WB-57F high-altitude aircraft off Iceland at 50,000 feet to chase the Moon's shadow during a total solar eclipse, capturing eclipse data above clouds; the onboard cameras reveal the solar corona at totality, with Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury visible near the Sun as the horizon glows in the distance.
NASA pilots flew a modified U-2 spy plane into thunderstorms to study gamma-ray flashes. The high-altitude aircraft collected data on short gamma-ray flashes and longer gamma-ray glows, providing the most detailed airborne analysis of gamma rays and thunderclouds ever recorded. The study aims to better understand the phenomena and potentially improve storm prediction to keep the public safe from lightning threats. The aircraft used unique gamma-ray detectors and instruments to gather real-time data and capture near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths emitted by lightning. NASA's ER-2 aircraft, based on the Lockheed U-2 spy plane, have been used for various scientific research missions.
NASA pilots flew a modified U-2 spy plane into thunderstorms to study gamma-ray flashes. The high-altitude ER-2 aircraft collected detailed data on gamma rays and thunderclouds, providing valuable insights into the phenomena. The study, known as ALOFT, involved researchers from the University of Bergen, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and three NASA centers. The data gathered could help scientists predict storm intensification and improve public safety measures against lightning threats. The ER-2 aircraft, capable of flying at extreme altitudes, has been used for various scientific research missions since its acquisition by NASA in the 1980s.