The Dornier 228 Islandsflug plane used for the airborne eclipse expedition for the annular eclipse of 31 May 2003.

Sunrise out a side window of the Dornier 228 airplane of Islandsflug at about 3:15 am on 31 May 2003.

Sunrise through the cockpit of the Dornier 228 airplane of Islandsflug at about 3:15 am on 31 May 2003.

Sunrise through the cockpit of the Dornier 228 airplane of Islandsflug at about 3:15 am on 31 May 2003.

Sunrise through the cockpit of the Dornier 228 airplane of Islandsflug at about 3:15 am on 31 May 2003.

Sunrise out a side window of the Dornier 228 airplane of Islandsflug at about 3:15 am on 31 May 2003.

A partial phase of the annular eclipse of 31 May 2003, photographed from the ground at Blonduos, Iceland. The image was taken with a Nikon VR 80-400 mm zoom lens on a Nikon F5 camera, using a tripod and Kodak Ektachrome film. (photo by Jay M. Pasachoff)

A partial phase of the annular eclipse of 31 May 2003, photographed from the ground at Blonduos, Iceland. The image was taken with a Nikon VR 80-400 mm zoom lens on a Nikon F5 camera, using a tripod and Kodak Ektachrome film. (photo by Jay M. Pasachoff)

A partial phase, viewed from the airplane. The softness of the image is the result of the quality of the airplane window.

A partial phase, viewed from the airplane. The softness of the image is the result of the quality of the airplane window.

Annularity, viewed from the airplane at 1,300 feet (about 400 m) altitude off the north coast of Iceland. The image was taken with a Nikon VR 80-400 vibration-reduction zoom on a Nikon F5 camera. (photo by Jay M. Pasachoff)

A partial phase, viewed from the airplane.

Annularity, viewed from the airplane at 1,300 feet (about 400 m) altitude off the north coast of Iceland. The image was taken with a Nikon VR 80-400 vibration-reduction zoom on a Nikon F5 camera. (photo by Jay M. Pasachoff)