In the photo: "Hole" in the sky over Moscow from October 8, 2009
Scientists have concluded that airplanes "leave holes in the clouds" and thus cause an unusual phenomenon that contributes to increased precipitation in areas close to major airports
According to the study, a flying plane "freezes water droplets in clouds and leaves behind ribbons of crystalline ice." This was stated by physicist from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder Andrew Heimesfield. Heimsfield - the author of an article about this phenomenon, which will be published today in the journal Science. The scientist claims that once it forms, this ribbon of ice begins to expand over several miles, and then falls as precipitation in a specific area. Researchers compare this phenomenon to "cloud seeding", when silver iodide dissipates in clouds to affect the amount of precipitation that falls. of them. Particles introduced into the cloud act as nuclei. Steam condenses around them, which then reaches the ground as rain or even snow.
If the results of this study are correct, then it can be concluded that jet and turboprop aircraft have a direct impact on local weather conditions.
So far, the conclusions of scientists are not unambiguous. But Dr. Heimswild hopes to do more research. As for "holes in the clouds", similar phenomena have been observed in several parts of the world. For example, in 2009, a saucer-shaped cloud hovered over Moscow. This phenomenon even sparked then "speculation about missile and UFO launches."