Contrails

Contrails, short for condensation trails, are long, thin, and often linear clouds that form behind aircraft as a result of the water vapor in the exhaust of the engines. Contrails are composed of ice crystals that form when the hot, humid air from the engines mixes with the cold, low-pressure air at high altitudes. The formation of contrails depends on several factors, including the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere, the altitude of the aircraft, and the type of engine. Contrails can persist for several hours and can spread out to form cirrus-like clouds, which can have an impact on the Earth's climate by reflecting sunlight back into space.
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