BANGOR,Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- A few elementary school students had a rare opportunity. They were able to take a tour of NASA's DC-8 airplane which is conducting science experiments just north of Toronto Canada, and is stationed at Bangor International Airport.
According to NASA, the experiments being conducted are to try and improve satellite estimates of falling snow.
DC-8 pilot, Manny Antimisiaris said, scientists are able to measure snow falling because of powerful cameras that are mounted on the bottom of the airplane. Antimisiaris said, these cameras can see through snow and see how much moisture is in it.
Antimisiaris said he enjoys days where he can talk to kids about science and he said this is great opportunity for kids to learn about science.
"It's so rewarding and I wish NASA could do a better job of this, but like everything else, budget cuts for public affairs has been cut as well. So, this hometown opportunity is really so much fun for us, and it's great to be able to reach out to the kids," Antimisiaris said.
One of the kids on the tour thought it was interesting that scientists can measure snow in the air, but he was more impressed by all the places the plane is able to go.
"It's a plane that can fly all over the world. I thought it wouldn't, but they said they flied over the North Pole and South Pole and everything. So I didn't think it could go that far," 10 year-old Josh Birch said.
Antimisiaris said the reason why the plane is in Bangor is because there isn't enough hanger space in Toronto to keep the plane and equipment from freezing at night.
NEWS CENTER