Moon Trails
February 16, 2010
Photographer: Chris Kotsiopoulos
Summary Author: Chris Kotsiopoulos; Jim Foster
The photo above showing a strangely creased full Moon was captured just after 10 p.m. on December 31, 2009 near Athens, Greece. These tracks have nothing to do with the partial lunar eclipse that was in progress. Rather, the explanation is much more down to Earth (almost): the lines are condensation trails (contrails) from a jet aircraft. The hiccup in the tracks of the contrails is a result of wind shear aloft. At the altitude contrails form, above about 20,000 ft (6,084 m), air currents and jet stream winds can be quite vigorous. If the winds are moving at a constant velocity and a constant direction, the contrails will maintain their shape and separation; however, if this is not the case, they’ll quickly become deformed and distorted.
Photo details: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi; Skywatcher ED 80; shutter speed 1/250; aperture value 7.5;
ISO 100