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Inside NASA’s Giant Flying Telescope On Board a 747 (Video)

Wallace Cotton
Wallace Cotton
Contributor
March 17, 2017
•
2 min read
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Inside NASA’s Giant Flying Telescope On Board a 747 (Video)
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When they're not in space, telescopes work best at altitude. Some of the world's most prominent land-based telescopes — from the Mauna Kea observatories in Hawaii to the research centers scattered throughout Chile's mountains and Atacama Desert — sit far from population centers, often far above sea level. Scientists and engineers have deliberately chosen these sites to minimize light pollution and the distorting effects that Earth's atmosphere has on incoming light from across the universe.

In this week's crazy aviation video, we take you to a high-flying observatory onboard a modified, stubby looking Boeing 747SP operated jointly by NASA and German space agency DLR. Based out of Palmdale, California, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, known as SOFIA, is roughly the same size as the famous Hubble Space Telescope, but serves a different purpose. Unlike Hubble, SOFIA records infrared light from space objects to provide scientists a clearer picture of our galaxy and, specifically, the gaseous materials that form stars.

Chief SOFIA Scientist Eric Becklin explains the functionality of this awesome piece of research technology. So, how does it work? The team built a custom door on this 747 that opens mid-air to give the telescope a clear sightline to the skies above. Besides providing valuable data for scientists, the project has given new life to a 45+ year-old aircraft that once flew for airlines such as Pan Am and United. We're all for it.

Have you visited an observatory or seen this special 747 before?

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.