The photo "acquired legendary status" in the Pentagon: an American pilot above a Chinese balloon

The US Department of Defense has released an image taken by an aviator while flying over a Chinese hot air balloon that was shot down earlier this month, reports BBC.

The selfie was taken from the cockpit of a U-2 spy plane as military leaders monitored the balloon's progress at high altitudes over the continental United States (US).

Official Beijing claimed that the balloon was metrological and had gone off course.

However, official Washington says the balloon was part of a major Chinese intelligence-gathering program.

As the balloon flew over American territory, at least two aircraft gathered information about its characteristics and trajectory.

A senior US State Department official said earlier this month that the flights revealed it was "capable of conducting intelligence gathering operations".

Officials first became aware of the balloon when it crossed into the airspace of the US state of Alaska on January 28.

Fighter jets from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) - a joint US-Canadian operation - identified the foreign object, but the military did not shoot it down at the time.

Officials explained that they could not shoot down the balloon over land because its size and the likely debris it would create posed a threat to civilians on the ground.

A defense official told US lawmakers earlier this month that the balloon was as tall as the Statue of Liberty and had a "jet-sized payload".

The image released Wednesday was taken the day before the balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4.

The photo reportedly "acquired legendary status" in the Pentagon.

The balloon is said to be floating 60.000 feet (18.200 meters) in the air.

U-2 planes routinely fly at altitudes above 70.000 feet, according to the Air Force.

The reconnaissance and surveillance single-seaters, dubbed "Dragon Lady", were previously operated by the CIA.

Pilots are required to wear full pressure suits similar to those worn by astronauts.

Pieces of debris, including their payloads, have been recovered and are being studied, said Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.