Here is an explanation that is not technically correct,
or accurate. I learned about this process in a class in
junior college over 20 years ago. What I remember is
sketchy; inaccurate.
Water reaches it's 'dew point' i.e.. forms clouds,
( where the water in the atmosphere condenses and forms
water drops; as on the side af your cold soda or beer glass )
when it reaches a certain drop in temperature and pressure combination.
If I remember correctly, this is called the Adiabatic
Process (spelling?) for those who want to look it up.
This is why clouds form at a certain altitude ( the combo
of the drop in air pressure and the temperature drop )
On TV, at air shows, and watching commercial planes landing,
I have occasionally seen vapor trails coming off the wing tips
of jets as the are pulling up into a steep climb or turn, causing
a pressure change. This is the same process as in the photo.
This plane is flying right off the the surface of the ocean,
and there seems to be many low clouds ( lots of moisture ).
The plane is compressing the air, changing the pressure/tempurature
and causing the adiabatic process ( dew point ) to occur.
I am sure my explanation is not very accurate, but it is close.
George
"Ciurpita, Greg" wrote:
>
> by now most of you have seen the still-frame of the
> F-18 and cloud that appeared in sports illustrated:
> i get to see airliners fly overhead every
> 5 minutes. lately i've begun noticing vapor clouds
> forming behind the wings in certain spots in the air.
> yesterday, i saw this for sure, as a plane flew directly
> overhead and relatively low..
>
> what is this, and what is its cause?
>
> ""
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