Space lovers are farewelling an airborne observatory as it makes its final visit to Christchurch after years of research trips.
SOFIA - short for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy - is a 747 adjusted to fit a 2.7m telescope.
For 10 years the aircraft has helped scientists collect data that would be missed by a telescope on the ground - but it has being shut down as new technology supersedes it.
Our reporter Tessa Guest and cameraman Nate McKinnon went to have a look.
