Contrail Shadow Over Pilesgrove, New Jersey

May 30, 2008

053008 copy

Provided by: Lisa Gonnelli
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster, Lisa Gonnelli 

The photo above showing a jet condensation trail (contrail) and its shadow was taken over Pilesgrove, New Jersey in the fall of 2007. High-level cirrostratus clouds acted as a projection screen for the shadow of the contrail. Note just how well the contrail's protrusions and peculiarities match up with those of the less distinct shadow. It's generally easier to square the contrail and shadow when the Sun's higher in the sky since there's less distortion or stretching.