With millions set to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is deploying two jet airplanes to follow the celestial phenomenon as it tracks across the continent.
The scientists at NASA hope the telescopes installed on the two WB-57F jet planes will record the clearest images ever of the sun’s atmosphere, also called the corona, according to a press release.
The two jets will also be able to capture thermal images of Mercury for the first time. These will be used to learn about the temperatures on the planet’s surface.
A WB-57F jet at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The instruments are fitted under the silver casing on the jet's nose. NASA's Johnson Space Center/Norah Moran
