Nasa Jet to Chase Solar Eclipse, Studying Sun's Corona

What Happened

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will occur, with parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal experiencing darkness for up to two minutes. During this event, a specially adapted Nasa research jet, the WB-57, will attempt to follow the Moon's shadow. The aircraft is designed to fly at approximately 50,000 feet, enabling clearer observations of the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, by flying above most clouds and water vapor.

The WB-57 jet is equipped with four powerful cameras in its nose designed to capture images of the corona in various visible and infrared wavelengths. By chasing the eclipse's path, the plane could maintain visibility of the phenomenon for nearly three minutes. This mission complements efforts by other space agencies, such as ESA's Proba-3 satellites, which create artificial eclipses using coronagraphs to study the solar corona.

Why It Matters

The solar corona is the origin of space weather, which can impact satellite networks, communication systems, and power grids. Scientists are particularly interested in studying the corona due to the "heating paradox": the corona is millions of degrees hotter than the Sun's visible surface, a phenomenon that is not yet fully understood. The research aims to investigate enormous loops of superheated gas, known as plasma, that extend from the Sun's outer edge.

Key Facts

• A total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal.
• A Nasa research plane, the WB-57, will attempt to observe the solar corona during the eclipse.
• The WB-57 can fly at about 50,000 feet and is equipped with four cameras to capture images of the corona.
• The mission intends to study plasma loops and the Sun's corona heating paradox.
• For observers in the UK, the eclipse on August 12 will not be total but will cover about 90% of the Sun.

Background

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight. Total solar eclipses occur approximately every 18 months. While natural eclipses provide limited observation time, instruments like coronagraphs, used by ESA's Proba-3 mission, create artificial eclipses to allow for longer study of the solar corona.