In “A field trip to the stratosphere,” I described my trip on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a modified 747 jet that flies up to 48,000 feet (14.6 kilometers) above sea level, points a telescope out a hole in its fuselage, and stares at space. Only a few pictures from that adventure could fit in the pages of a magazine, so here is a gallery of even more — a mix of shots from inside the NASA hangar and inside SOFIA.
I demonstrate the comfort of old plane upholstery in SOFIA’s hangar.
A Ken-doll lookalike stands next to a scale model of the infrared telescope.
This workstation is personalized.
Who knew a cockpit had so many buttons?
On the second flight, I was allowed to be in the cockpit during landing, as long as I remained quiet.
The telescope’s mirror is coated in this giant tank, as needed.
I’ll take a window seat, thanks.
Passengers scrutinizing the scientific data and background information.
Dawn came as we descended.
