1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910300405803321

Autore

Léna Pierre

Titolo

Racing the Moon’s Shadow with Concorde 001 [[electronic resource] /] / by Pierre Léna

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2015

ISBN

3-319-21729-1

Edizione

[1st ed. 2015.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (113 p.)

Collana

Astronomers' Universe, , 1614-659X

Disciplina

523.7809047

Soggetti

Astronomy

Observations, Astronomical

Astronomy—Observations

Aerospace engineering

Astronautics

Popular Science in Astronomy

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques

Aerospace Technology and Astronautics

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Of eclipses and mankind -- Concorde, a dream taking off -- Clear obscurity -- Towards the longest eclipse in history -- Nothing to worry, it's just an eclipse -- What a harvest of science in just 74 minutes -- The route of solar eclipses -- Epilogue -- Appendices.

Sommario/riassunto

This is the unique story of  observing a total solar exlipse 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.