APOD: 2026 September 5 – Chasing the Moon’s Shadow
The post APOD: 2026 September 5 – Chasing the Moon’s Shadow appeared first on NASA Science .
On September 5, 2026, NASA's WB-57F high altitude research aircraft embarked on a mission to chase the shadow of a New Moon, capturing spectacular images of the total solar eclipse. The aircraft, soaring at 50,000 feet, meticulously followed the predetermined path of totality to ensure maximum exposure to the Moon's shadow. This altitude allowed the crew to bypass the disturbances caused by clouds, dust, and atmospheric water vapor, which often hinder ground-based observations.
The cockpit's video footage showcased the solar corona emerging as totality began. Venus shone left of center in the frame, while Jupiter and Mercury were barely visible to the right of the eclipsed Sun. However, the sky remained bright along the distant horizon, beyond the reach of the Moon's shadow. The main NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) site is undergoing a transition, moving from apod.nasa.gov to science.nasa.gov/apod. The picture for the following day will focus on enhancing Pluto.
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