Some beautiful contrails captured with the camera on my mobile phone earlier this evening.
The reason I stopped to take the image was the distinct bend in the contrail. I had noticed it earlier (and have photographs taken earlier) because of this shape. When I first noticed it, the jet aircraft was still passing overhead. It caught my attention because of the distinct bend. That isn’t normal. It looks like the aircraft had to suddenly change path then change back again to get back onto its normal flight path.
Hi Paul, just found the website when trying to find out which stars those were towards the airport. The jets would be vertically separated (I have many years in ATC). The change is contrail would be an effect of high level wind as you can see the feathering and thickening of the one of them that appears to be turning. Or it could have turned to get a look at something or it could have been a military jet. Avoidance is unlikely as we would have heard about it by now.
Morning Peter.
I can confirm that the turns are real. I have a series of photos taken showing the shape before the contrail began to be spread out by the high altitude wind. Unfortunately I missed seeing the turns as I was still inside my house at the time. I did get to see the jet after the turns. I am still curious what the reason for the turns were.
On a completely different topic, I am assuming the stars you were curious about were located above the North East horizon? If so, then you were looking at Jupiter and Venus (the latter being the brightest).
Good to hear from you.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Hi Paul – yes re the stars and we were most pleased to find that information from you. Thanks. Great photo Paul and from a mobile phone!