Flight Sofia to the stars ex NZCH

[flyjoe180]

Very cool pics Beagle, nicely done.

[Matt Hayes]

A few more photos of SOFIA during its time here. Special thanks to the SOFIA Team and NASA for the privileged opportunity of a science presentation and tour on board their very special Aircraft. Very educational talking to the scientific team who are clearly very enthusiastic and passionate about their field of work. Glad they are happy with the data they have captured so far

Providing maintenance and refurbishment goes well, they say the aircraft will return next year and the years to come

Cheers

[Dave Homewood]

Super shots Matt.

[Ykato]

Jul 25, 2013 18:32:58 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Super shots Matt.

Agree Very

[suthg]

Gorgeous photos!! Very privileged to get on board... she grunts along over 550+kts at times and is out there over 9hrs flight time, quite some performance - I guess without pax and luggage, she can carry extra fuel. Thanks for the up close look. I see they use liquid Nitrogen or CO2 for the equipment. Very specialised tasks.

[11SQNLDR]

Along with Squawk2K I also had an enjoyable tour through SOFIA yesterday, together with a group of cadets and officers of No.18 Sqn ATC.

I can't speak highly enough of the hospitality shown by the US and German members of the team, hugely knowledgable and enthusiastic people!

Manny, the pilot that talked to us had a good few years on B-52's, AWAC's, Predator drones as well as some civvie flying before joining NASA.

Photos to follow!

[flyjoe180]

Fantastic photos, thanks for posting them. I'm surprised that NASA has not re-engined that 747 with some more economical power plants.

[Matt Hayes]

Thanks guys. It is scheduled to visit Germany next year for its overhaul during which time it will be re-engined. The gas is a combination of liquid nitrogen and liquid helium

[beagle]

great night shots there
just love the blue colours
what settings did ya use
did you use a tripod

"I hate fences"

[suthg]

Yes that last shot needed a star exposure I reckon on a tripod - very good depth of field so small aperture and long exposure on a tripod... c'mon, spill the details!! It was a fabulous shot with good colour segregation too.

[ErrolC]

Here's a lecture (from the Silicon Valley Astronomy series - these are also available as audio only) on SOFIA

[suthg]

That was very interesting - Dr Backman is very easy to listen to as a lecturer and school level teacher who loves his topic of astronomy. He talks of the history of SOFIA and how they chose the plane and some of the planes history which was interesting as well - the Clipper Lindbergh or something was the plane's early name. Went into service in 1977 on the 50th anniversary of the first flight across the Atlantic. Grandson Eric Lindburgh rededicated the plane in 2007 as it entered service with NASA. He also speaks of the wind tunnel trials and an earlier plane. Very interesting.

[Matt Hayes]

Settings for the night photos from memory were F22 aperture for the first while the second F5.6. Taken with Canon 5D Mk III, 24-105 lens. Certainly used a tripod.

[woody99]

Great images Matt. Thanks for posting. Out of interest is the flight deck shot an HDR or did you use a flash? It's great! I've been trying similar on the 737 but can't quite get the contrast between inside and out where I want them.

[ErrolC]

Jul 27, 2013 11:58:11 GMT 12 suthg said:

That was very interesting - Dr Backman is very easy to listen to as a lecturer and school level teacher who loves his topic of astronomy. He talks of the history of SOFIA and how they chose the plane and some of the planes history which was interesting as well - the Spirit of Lindberg or something was the planes early name. Also speaks of the wind tunnel trials and an earlier plane.

I watched this last night, having only ever listened to them in the past. Having the slides been talked to is good!
Good presentation, I could remember enough science to keep up.

Sent via Proboards Android App

[ErrolC]

Short vid of preparing the 747 at CHC.


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[htbrst]

Interviews from radionz last week: www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2563364/our-changing-world-space-telescope-venture

It has a bit more info since the journalist visited the Sofia institute in Stuttgart in addition to people in NZ

[ErrolC]

The SOFIA B747SP landed at AKL after last night's (final) observing flight due to fog at CHC, according to their Twitter feed.

[Matt Hayes]

Woody99, I missed your earlier question. Photo of the Flight Deck was taken with external flash. The exposure is a balancing act

[ErrolC]

Scheduled departure from CHC back to the USA is 9am tomorrow.