It seems like an airplane to observe, that is the name and the meaning. But all the aircraft seem to work under the same? Recognizance, spy or aerial surveying aircraft for mapping, they work in different scenarios and have different instruments to carry out the required task. An observatory as known is a location to observe and is widely used to look at the stars.

Having the idea, an airborne observatory is a platform to observe using an astronomical telescope. it could be an airplane, airship, or balloon. In the 1950s balloons were the main platform for observing from the stratosphere, an example, is the Stratoscope I. This balloon was controlled from the ground. Then, several balloons are used to perform the observation.

The aircraft had started an important role when the USA military NC-135 carried out aerial observation of a solar eclipse, that was in 1965. The aircraft operated by the Atomic Energy Commission for solar eclipse observation was a flying laboratory.

A notable aircraft, the Concorde, did not go unnoticed in this role. The prototype Concorde 001 was modified with roof-top portholes for a solar eclipse observation for a mission in 1973. The aircraft was capable to speed up to twice the speed of sound chasing the solar eclipse flying over Africa. Astronomers in France and the UK proposed this because, in theory, a supersonic transport (SST) could give them over 70 minutes to watch the eclipse ten times more observation time than statically on the ground, and it has sense. That was one advantage of having a moving fastest platform.

In 1974, the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO) was carried aloft on a C-141A and performed infrared observations.

The largest aircraft-borne instrument to date for astronomical observation mission is granted to SOFIA “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy”, a modified Boeing 747 fitted with a 2.5m diameter reflecting telescope. This aircraft has an aperture on the side fuselage opened in flight and the telescope is mounted in the aft end of the fuselage behind a pressurized bulkhead. This Boeing was purchased by NASA. Then, Nasa and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) operate the aircraft for research purposes.

The objectives of SOFIA are to study the composition of planetary atmospheres and surfaces. Looking at stars, their structures, composition, and the physics and chemistry of the interstellar medium.

So, having these aircraft in the space agency’s fleets gives the unique opportunities to observe, study, and chase the cosmic events that surround our planet. It is noticed that airborne platform and airborne observatory is one of the greatest ideas that came up when looking at stars.

References:

ttps://web.archive.org/web/20050330100204/http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Edu/docs/97-Whiting_AeroHistory.pdf

http://jcgl.orpheusweb.co.uk/history/concorde/ChaseTheSun.html

https://www.vice.com/en/article/8q8qwk/the-concorde-and-the-longest-solar-eclipse

https://www.sofia.usra.edu/

Cover photo:

NASA / Jim Ross