CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Two West Virginia educators have been selected for NASA research flights.

NASA says Sarah Scoles of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Anne Smith of Green Bank Middle School will participate in the Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program.

NASA said Wednesday that 26 educators will partner with astronomers aboard a modified jet that's equipped with a 100-inch telescope. The observatory allows for the analysis of infrared light to study the solar system, including the formation of stars and planets.

The observatory is a joint program between NASA and the German Aerospace Center and is based in Palmdale, Calif.