Chasing a shadow: how a Boeing 747SP tracked Pluto's moving silhouette
In short: On June 29, 2015, scientists were not just watching the sky; they were chasing it. To witness Pluto's shadow as it swept across Earth at 53,000 mph, NASA and German researchers had to fly a modified jetliner into the perfect position for a fleeting, two-minute cosmic event.
The event, known as an occultation, occurs when a celestial body like Pluto passes in front of a distant star. For astronomers, this is a rare opportunity to study a planet's atmosphere remotely. By observing how a star's light flickers or changes as it passes through the atmosphere, scientists can gather critical data without leaving Earth.
To capture this specific event, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)—a highly modified Boeing 747SP jetliner—had to perform a high-stakes aerial maneuver. While flying off the southwest coast of New Zealand, scientists in Chile and Massachusetts coordinated a real-time course change to ensure the aircraft was in the exact location where Pluto's shadow would fall on Earth.
This mission was timed to provide vital context for the New Horizons probe. Two weeks after the SOFIA flight, New Horizons was scheduled to make its first close encounter with Pluto, passing within 7,800 miles of the dwarf planet's surface. By comparing the remote sensing data from SOFIA's infrared telescope with the direct observations from the probe, researchers could validate their Earth-based atmospheric models with 'ground truth' from the edge of the solar system.
The observation utilized specialized tools, including the High-Speed Imaging Photometer for Occultation (HIPO), an extremely fast electronic light meter, and the Fast Diagnostic Camera (FDC). This collaboration between NASA, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and USRA represents a sophisticated marriage of aviation and astronomy.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: SOFIA Captures Pluto Occultation
- Also: How NASA's Flying Observatory Revealed Secrets About Pluto | Space
- Also: SOFIA Takes Advantage of Mobility to Observe Pluto Occultation
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-sofia-captures-pluto-occultation.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Astronomy · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
