
Photos Contrails |
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Aviation fuel consists primarily of hydrocarbons. When the fuel is burned,
the carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. The hydrogen also
combines with oxygen to form water, which emerges as steam in the
exhaust. Contrails are condensation trails ( vapour trails), cirrus clouds
made by the exhaust of aircraft engines. The airplane's exhaust increases
the amount of moisture in the air. This causes condensation to occur, and
the contrail to form. |
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