Racing the Moon’s Shadow with Concorde 001

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Eclipses and Humankind

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 1-9

3. Concorde: A Dream Takes Off

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 11-16

4. This Dark Brightness that Falls from the Stars

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 17-24

5. The Run up to the Longest Total Eclipse in History

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 25-44

6. No Need for Alarm, It’s Only an Eclipse

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 45-60

7. Seventy-Four Minutes of Observation, but What Gain for Science?

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 61-70

8. The Future of the Solar Eclipse

   • Pierre Léna

   Pages 71-77

9. Back Matter

   Pages 79-103

   PDF

This is the unique story of  observing a total solar eclipse for no less than 74 consecutive minutes. On the summer morning of June 30, 1973, the Sun rises on the Canary Islands. But it is strangely indented by the Moon. The eclipse of the century has just begun. From the west, the lunar shadow rushes to the African coast at a velocity of over 2000 kilometers per hour. Astronomers on the ground will enjoy seven short minutes of total eclipse to study the solar corona - too short for Pierre Lena and seven scientists who board the Concorde 001 prototype, an extraordinary plane to become the first commercial supersonic aircraft. With André Turcat as chief pilot and a crew of five, at 17000 m altitude, the aircraft remains in the lunar shadow for 74 minutes, a record time of scientific observations not yet beaten and allowing for exceptional measurements. Science, technology, aviation and history combine in the story of a unique human adventure aboard a legendary aircraft, illustrated with a rich and original iconography. It reflects the wonderful domains that science and technology can open, and the passion in the professions they offer. A must read for every eclipse chaser and fan of true scientific adventures.On the summer morning of June 30, 1973, the Sun rises on the Canary Islands. But it is strangely indented by the Moon. The eclipse of the century has just begun. From the west, the lunar shadow rushes to the African coast at a velocity of over 2000 kilometers per hour. Astronomers on the ground will enjoy seven short minutes of total eclipse to study the solar corona - too short for Pierre Lena and seven scientists who board the Concorde 001 prototype, an extraordinary plane to become the first commercial supersonic aircraft. With André Turcat as chief pilot and a crew of five, at 17000 m altitude, the aircraft remains in the lunar shadow for 74 minutes, a record time of scientific observations not yet beaten and allowing for exceptionalmeasurements. Science, technology, aviation and history combine in the story of a unique human adventure aboard a legendary aircraft, illustrated with a rich and original iconography. It reflects the wonderful domains that science and technology can open, and the passion in the professions they offer. A must read for every eclipse chaser and fan of true scientific adventures.

• Airborne Observatories
• Concorde Aircraft Observatory
• Eclipse Chaser
• Eclipse Hunter Aircraft
• History Concorde SST
• List of Solar Eclipses
• Longest Eclipse Observation
• Longest Eclipse of the Century
• SOFIA Observatory
• Solar Eclipse Observation
• Supersonic Aircraft

• Université Paris Diderot & Observatoire de Paris, Paris, France

  Pierre Léna

Transmitting to younger generations his own interest for science is a lifelong passion for Pierre Léna, who is an astrophysicist and member of the French Academy of sciences. With the program La main à la pâte (Inquiry), he has worked extensively for science to be well taught to children in primary schools worldwide. His goal is also to help teenagers and young adults discover the flavor of science, at the age when they choose their future and are sometimes reluctant to pursue science. He brings here his personal experience and authentic testimony.

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