Experts explain funnel-shaped air trails in Thanh Hoa sky

The phenomenon of strange gas trails running along the horizon in Hau Loc district is explained as being caused by exhaust fumes from airplane engines.

Early on the morning of December 26, fishermen along the coast of Hau Loc district (Thanh Hoa) and many other places saw a white streak of light in the sky near the horizon. Many curious people came to see, took photos and videos, and believed that this was a natural phenomenon that signaled good luck.

Funnel-shaped light streaks in the sky created by airplane engines — People in Hau Loc, Thanh Hoa recorded the scene of the gas trail from the engine they saw early in the morning. Video: *Provided by people*

According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy, a hydrometeorology and climate change expert, this is not a natural phenomenon. The funnel-shaped streak in the sky is caused by jet engines that may be performing missions or practicing early in the morning or rockets in the acceleration phase.

Mr. Huy explained that when an aircraft moves slowly, it suddenly accelerates, creating a strong air pressure. When this air flow is released into the air, it meets the sudden cold air from the environment, creating a rapid temperature difference that causes water vapor to condense. This creates an air trail with an unusual shape, which many people think is a natural phenomenon.

According to Dr. Huy, the shape of the air trail is due to the hot air from the aircraft engine operating according to the horizontal funnel mechanism, meaning the air from the center radiates to both sides, creating a similar shaped trail. The shape of the trail depends on the operating state of the aircraft engine.

Experts say that the phenomenon of creating air trails when an aircraft is in operation only occurs when the aircraft suddenly increases or decreases speed in an area with low ambient temperature, ie 0 degrees Celsius or lower, and there is no strong wind.

Mr. Huy said that at the end of last year in Korea, a similar phenomenon occurred, but the air trail was vertical, caused by the exhaust gas of the rocket combined with the air, similar to the above mechanism.

Funnel-shaped air trail caused by an aircraft engine. Photo: Provided by local people — Funnel-shaped air trail caused by an aircraft engine. Photo: *Provided by local people*

Sharing the same opinion, Master Le Dinh Quyet, Deputy Head of Forecasting Department of Southern Hydrometeorological Station, said that it was likely caused by a jet plane because the tip of the cone was moving. "This is not a natural phenomenon," said Mr. Quyet.

The North and Central regions are suffering the strongest cold spell since the beginning of the year due to the influence of cold air. The temperature in Phan Xi Pang (Lao Cai) yesterday dropped to -3 degrees, with frost appearing. According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, from today (December 26), the cold air will weaken, and the temperature in the North will gradually increase. Hanoi's temperature will be around 10-22 degrees, in the following days it will increase to 25 degrees during the day and 17-18 degrees at night. High points over 1,600 m above sea level such as Sa Pa will increase from 3-12 degrees to 6-18 degrees Celsius.

Ha An

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