Contrails and Clouds

Taken just before sunset on a cold, clear February afternoon, this sky picture shows just how busy the skies around a reasonably large city can be. Contrails from a raft of aircraft criss cross the clear blue sky, forging long, straight vapour trail causeways between the randomly fuzzy natural clouds.

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I always find contrail pictures to be both fascinating and a little disturbing, in that they make a natural recording of how many aircraft are, or have recently been, vying for space in the skies above us. The potential for accidents in such a crowded space is an obvious cause for concern, yet the rarity of mid-air collisions is an impressive testament to the skills of air traffic controllers and pilots everywhere.

PP