We report here the probable detection of an emission line of Si nr that was
observed from ant open C130 aircraft over the Pacific Ocean during the 199
8 total solar eclipse. Although the IR data themselves are inconclusive bec
ause of the uncertainty in the precise central wavelengths of the narrowban
d filters during the eclipse, the consistency of the measured IR limb exces
s with simultaneous EUV emission measured by S0N0/Coronal Diagnostic Spectr
ometer and the EUV Imager Telescope support our detection claim. This line
appears to be the brightest IR coronal line yet observed, and its existence
may significantly improve future prospects for obtaining optical coronal m
agnetic held measurements.