SOFIA will attempt to observe another occultation on June 29.
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) observed the dwarf planet Pluto as it passed in front of a distant star in June 2011. This event, known as an “occultation,” allowed scientific analysis of Pluto and its atmosphere by flying SOFIA at the right moment to an exact location where Pluto’s shadow crossed Earth. SOFIA will attempt to observe another occultation on June 29.