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NASA Chooses 6 Teachers To Fly Aboard Observatory Plane

PALMDALE (AP) — NASA has chosen six teachers, two from California, to ride on a flying observatory that studies black holes and the formation of stars.

They'll ride a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft fitted with a 100-inch infrared telescope. It's called the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.

The Palmdale-based flights will be held through June.

NASA wants the teachers to share their experiences with their schools.

They are:

— Kathleen Fredette of Desert Willow Intermediate School in Palmdale.

— Marita Beard of Branham High School in San Jose.

— Mary Blessing of Herndon High School in Herndon, Va.

— Cris DeWolf of Chippewa Hills High School in Remus, Mich.

— Theresa Paulsen of Mellen School District in Mellen, Wis.

— Margaret Piper of Lincoln Way High School in Frankfort, Ill.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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