Contrails - a prototype of cirrus cloud studies since 80 years
Schumann, Ulrich
The clouds often seen to be formed in the wake of aircraft are called condensation trails (Brewer 1946), contrails (Appleman 1953), or Kondensstreifen. Contrails form behind propeller-driven aircraft as well as behind jet aircraft. Contrails often turn over into cirrus clouds covering an essential fraction of the sky. Hence, understanding of contrail formation also helps in understanding formation of natural cirrus clouds. In recent years, the question how far contrails change the climatological or chemical state of the atmosphere triggered intensive research (Kärcher et al. 1996, Freudenthaler et al. 1996, Ponater et al. 1996, Gierens 1996). </p>
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