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Credit & Copyright: Russell E. Cooley IV, USAF
Explanation:
What type of cloud is that? It is not a
naturally occurring one.
Looking perhaps a bit like a gigantic
owl monster, the cloud
pictured above
resulted from a series of flares released by an air force jet over the
Atlantic Ocean in May.
The jet that released the flares, a
C-17 Globemaster III, is seen on the right.
The flares release smoke and the
resulting pattern is sometimes known as a
smoke angel.
The circular eyes of the above smoke angel are caused by
air spiraling off the plane's wings and are known as
wingtip vortices.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day