Special flight will track moon’s shadow on solar eclipse

Siliguri: It is all about chasing shadows. A Boeing 737-200 special flight will track the the moon’s shadow on the next total solar eclipse on July 22. It will have astronomers and enthusiasts on board who will have a sure shot view of "nature’s best show" as they call it.
"This is going to be the first eclipse flight in India, where the scientific community and the tourism business sector will join hands," said Mr C V Devgun, the key person of Space Technology and Education Pvt Ltd (STEPL). STEPL is looking after the technical side of the flight, while the logistics are being organized by Cox and Kings India Ltd.
As Mr Devgun explained, "During total solar eclipse, the moon’s shadow traverses the earth surface along a very narrow path at several mach speed. So, the total eclipse remains visible to terrestrial viewers for just a few seconds. But, when a high speed flight flies along with the shadow in the same direction, viewers on board get the eclipse for a much longer duration. Moreover, being much above the clouds, an eclipse flight can offer almost 100% viewing prospects...."
"The new aircraft hired from JetLite will take off at 3:30 in the morning for the Delhi to Delhi 4hr 20min flight. The aircraft will intercept the eclipse shadow at midpoint at 6.26 am IST near Gaya and give around a 3-minute long eclipse view at an altitude of 41,000 feet," said Mr Devgun.
But special things do not come cheap. The flight will have 4 classes of seats with varying sun visibility. Tickets are tagged as Rs 79,000, Rs 67,000 , Rs 59,000 and Rs 29,000 per seat.
22/06/09 Debasis Sarkar/Economic Times

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Categories: JetLite Jun 2009, New Jun 2009