This photo is one of the first glimpses of the 2017 total solar eclipse captured by National Geographic photographer Babak Tafreshi in a jet above the Pacific at the moment the eclipse began. Babak was aboard the flight along with two Airbnb guests who won the chance to be among the first to witness the solar eclipse before it crossed the U.S. in August.
August Solar Eclipse Created Boat-Like Ripples in Earth's Atmosphere
During the historic event, the moon's shadow created atmospheric waves that scientists first predicted about four decades ago.
Like a boat sailing through water, the moon’s shadow created rippling waves in the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere during the momentous total solar eclipse of 2017.
On August 21, the total eclipse raced across the continental United States, the first such eclipse in nearly a century to traverse the country from coast to coast. While a total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth every year or two, on average, this event was rare because it fell over so much populated land.
That meant scores of professional and amateur sky-watchers were able to train their instruments on the August eclipse, hoping to study one of the many amazing sights that can only be witnessed during a solar eclipse.
