World witnessed the longest 74-minute solar eclipse in history with Concorde 001 flying at 2,500 km/h

On June 30, 1973, over the expansive Sahara Desert, a team of pioneering scientists accomplished an extraordinary milestone in astronomical history: observing 74 minutes of uninterrupted totality during a solar eclipse, the longest ever recorded. This unprecedented achievement was made possible through a combination of innovative technology, meticulous planning, and precise execution. The team converted Concorde 001, a supersonic jet, into a

high-altitude flying observatory

, outfitted with special observation ports and scientific instruments. By synchronizing the aircraft’s speed with the Moon’s shadow, the scientists extended totality far beyond the limits of ground-based observation. This landmark mission not only provided rare insights into the solar corona but also redefined humanity’s approach to studying eclipses and other transient astronomical events.

Understanding total solar eclipses: How scientists extended totality beyond ground limits

Total solar eclipses are rare phenomena where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, creating a brief period of darkness known as totality. The duration of totality depends on several factors, including the Earth-Moon-Sun alignment, the observer’s location, and the Moon’s distance from Earth.In 1973, the eclipse offered an unusually long potential duration. However, from the ground, maximum totality lasts only about 7 minutes. To surpass this natural limit, scientists devised a method to chase the Moon’s shadow using supersonic speed, effectively “stretching” the experience of totality.

Concorde 001: A supersonic flying observatory extending solar eclipse totality

The mission employed Concorde 001, a prototype supersonic jet capable of flying at Mach 2.05 (over 2,500 km/h). Engineers outfitted the aircraft with observation portholes in the roof, transforming it into a high-altitude laboratory above the clouds.Flying above 16,000 meters, the jet avoided weather disturbances and atmospheric turbulence. By carefully aligning with the Moon’s shadow, the aircraft maintained continuous presence within the umbra, extending the eclipse duration to an incredible 74 minutes—ten times longer than any ground-based observation.

Extending total solar eclipse totality with Concorde’s supersonic flight

The mission’s success relied on extreme precision. A two-minute delay or early arrival could have reduced totality by as much as 25 minutes. Scientists focused on the critical phases called second and third contacts, which mark the start and end of totality.Flying at supersonic speed allowed the team to match the velocity of the Moon’s shadow, keeping the eclipse in view longer than any stationary observatory could. This required not only expert piloting but also meticulous calculation of flight path, speed, and timing—a blend of aviation and astronomy expertise.

Studying the solar corona: How Concorde 001 revolutionised total solar eclipse research

The solar corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, is visible only during total eclipses. Despite its faint appearance, the corona is hundreds of times hotter than the solar surface, a phenomenon that remains only partially understood even today.During the 74 minutes of totality, five scientific teams conducted parallel studies of the corona and chromosphere. They measured structural patterns, tracked dynamic features, and captured high-resolution images. This extended observation window provided insights impossible from ground-based observation and contributed to a deeper understanding of solar physics.Physicist Donald Liebenberg, part of the mission, described the flight as “an unforgettable experience.” Thanks to this flight, he accumulated more eclipse observation time than anyone else at the time.The Concorde mission demonstrated that supersonic flight could revolutionize eclipse studies, providing a new paradigm for observing rare astronomical events. Researchers concluded that airborne observation methods could outperform traditional terrestrial approaches.

How the 1973 Concorde mission shaped modern total solar eclipse research

The legacy of the 1973 Concorde mission persists in modern solar research. NASA now uses WB-57 aircraft for stratospheric eclipse observations, and the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission aims to create artificial eclipses using two coordinated satellites.The Concorde experiment bridged the era of human ingenuity in flight-based observation and the current era of satellite and digital sensor technology, showing how creativity and technology can extend humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.By perfectly synchronising with the Moon’s shadow, Concorde 001 allowed humanity to experience the longest

total solar eclipse

ever recorded. The 74 minutes of continuous darkness at supersonic speeds offered a unique opportunity to study solar phenomena, inspiring future generations of astronomers and engineers.Also Read | World’s first pandemic mystery solved: Scientists uncover Yersinia pestis through ancient DNA after 1,500 years