Contrails Feature Summary
- Type:
- From Physics Research
- Title:
-
Contrails
- Description:
- The false-color image above shows jet contrails in the skies above the mid-Atlantic coast on 1/26/2001. Check out this photo taken on the ground at about the same time.
When U.S. commercial air traffic was grounded following the 9/11 attacks, atmospheric scientists took advantage of this opportunity to investigate the effect of jet contrails on Earth's climate. The results showed that contrails produced cooler days--more sunlight was reflected from the contrails--and warmer nights--more heat radiated from Earth was trapped (this trapping is the greenhouse effect).
- Image:
 - image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce
- Featured:
- September 16, 2006 - October 1, 2006
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