Changes

[[image:ctww2-2.jpg|Contrails during WWII|thumb]]

[[image:ctww2-2.jpg|Contrails during WWII|thumb]]

[[image:Ctww2-3.jpg|Picture from WWII|thumb]]

[[image:Ctww2-3.jpg|Picture from WWII|thumb]]

'''Chemtrail''' is, according to a common [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theory]], the name for certain types of contrails. According to this [[Pseudo-Science|pseudo-scientific]] idea at least a part of the known contrails consist of various added substances, whose composition however can not be agreed upon by followers of this idea. The modified contrails supposedly show a different behavior from regular ones. They are claimed to remain longer visible in the sky, and to sometimes appear in a checkerboard pattern. There is no consensus among followers of the chemtrail idea on which airplanes spread the additives. Some believe chemtrails are caused by all different kinds of planes, while others believe only certain military aircraft to be responsible. An extended version of the theory claims that chemtrails can ''dissolve'' carbon-dioxide, resulting in local decrease in temperature due to the diminished greenhouse effect. This creates a huge depression that sucks in surrounding air, causes thunderstorms, intense rain, storms and hail.

'''Chemtrail''', according to a common [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theory]], is the name for certain types of contrails. This [[Pseudo-Science|pseudo-scientific]] idea believes that at least part of the known contrails consist of various added substances, on whose composition, however, followers of this idea apparently cannot agree. Modified contrails allegedly show a different behavior from regular ones. They are said to remain visible in the sky for a longer time, and to appear in a checkerboard pattern sometimes. There is no consensus among followers of the chemtrail idea regarding which airplanes spread the additives. Some believe chemtrails were caused by various different types of planes, while others believe only certain military aircraft were responsible. An extended version of this theory claims that chemtrails can ''dissolve'' carbon-dioxide, resulting in a local decrease in temperature due to the diminished greenhouse effect. This creates a huge depression that sucks in surrounding air, causes thunderstorms, intense rain, storms, and hail.

==The History of the word Chemtrails==

==The History of the word Chemtrails==

[[image:williamThomas.jpg|William Thomas|left|thumb]]

[[image:williamThomas.jpg|William Thomas|left|thumb]]

[[image:Jimphelps.jpg|Jim Phelps|thumb]]

[[image:Jimphelps.jpg|Jim Phelps|thumb]]

The term chemtrail was coined around 1998 in the US. In the early days the word "cloverleaf" was more common, until the year 2000.<ref>18.07.2000 - http://www.rense.com/general2/pat.htm</ref><ref>27.07.2000 - http://www.clydelewis.com/invest/contrails/msnbc72798.html</ref><ref>22.05.2000 http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Chemtrails/Witness_2.html</ref> Barium and aluminum were introduced into the debate around 2001.<ref>23.05.2001 - http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Theories.html</ref> Clifford Carnicom from Santa Fe in New Mexico and the Canadian William Thomas from Duncan (British Columbia) are often labeled the creators of the chemtrail hypothesis. They are the only ones who left behind well dated material. Carnicom's records begin in the summer of 1999 with the double title Contrail/Chemtrail. Carnicom latterly presents himself on a website called CACTUS (Citizens Against Chemtrails U.S.) According to him barium is radioactive, which adds another [[Pseudo Science|pseudo-scientific]] note to his [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theories]]. The journalist William Thomas first wrote about the topic in January of 1999 (article in Environment News Service - ENS)<ref>1999-01-08 http://www.netowne.com/environmental/contrails/willthomas/contrails.htm</ref>, but was still using the word contrails.

The term chemtrail was coined in the US about 1998. Initially, until about 2000, the term "cloverleaf" was in more frequent use.<ref>18.07.2000 - http://www.rense.com/general2/pat.htm</ref><ref>27.07.2000 - http://www.clydelewis.com/invest/contrails/msnbc72798.html</ref><ref>22.05.2000 http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Chemtrails/Witness_2.html</ref> Barium and aluminum were introduced into the debate around 2001.<ref>23.05.2001 - http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Theories.html</ref> Clifford Carnicom from Santa Fe/New Mexico and Canadian William Thomas from Duncan (British Columbia) are often credited as creators of the chemtrail hypothesis. They are in fact the only ones who left behind well dated material. Carnicom's records begin in the summer of 1999, with the double title Contrail/Chemtrail. Carnicom latterly presents himself on a website called CACTUS (Citizens Against Chemtrails U.S.) According to Carnicum, barium was radioactive which adds another [[Pseudo Science|pseudo-scientific]] note to his [[Conspiracy Theory|conspiracy theories]]. Journalist William Thomas first wrote about the issue in January 1999 (article in Environment News Service - ENS)<ref>1999-01-08 http://www.netowne.com/environmental/contrails/willthomas/contrails.htm</ref>, but still used the term contrails.

Further historical documents exist parallel to that, for example the well known radio talk show with Art Bell from 1999.<ref>1999-02-10 http://web.archive.org/web/20051109173010/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4809/reports.html</ref><ref>1999-03-09 http://web.archive.org/web/20070315131454/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4809/reports2.html</ref> While the first report talks only about (poisonous) contrails, the second one marks the birth of the word ''chemtrails' only one month later, albeit still set in quotation marks. The book "Chemtrails over America" by William Thomas was released shortly after that.

There are further historic documents, too, for example the well known radio talk show with Art Bell from 1999.<ref>1999-02-10 http://web.archive.org/web/20051109173010/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4809/reports.html</ref><ref>1999-03-09 http://web.archive.org/web/20070315131454/http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/4809/reports2.html</ref> While the first report only mentions (poisonous) contrails, the second one marks the birth of the term ''chemtrails' only one month later, albeit it is still set in quotation marks. The book "Chemtrails over America" by William Thomas was released shortly afterwards.

Another (self-proclaimed) inventor of the word is Jim Phelps. Here a quote to get a little insight into the mind of Mr. Phelps:''These truths revealed on the use of Chemtrails will show that the US Govt. has long known the truth on what causes the AIDS epidemic. Chemtrails use a truncated version of the Manna effect. And AIDS is the direct result of too much fluoride in the environment that is upsetting the beneficial trace metals in the human cells and immune system. This leads to a lower level of metals, like manganese, that block the reverse transcription of HIV. This is a very important concept from the End-Times predictions of huge health plagues sweeping the planet and all very predictable from the old biblical times for those that knew the mining industries.''<ref>http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/open-forum/12258-god-chemtrails-jim-phelps.html</ref>

Another (self-proclaimed) inventor of this term is Jim Phelps. Here a quote which provides some insight into Mr. Phelps' mind:''These truths revealed on the use of Chemtrails will show that the US Govt. has long known the truth on what causes the AIDS epidemic. Chemtrails use a truncated version of the Manna effect. And AIDS is the direct result of too much fluoride in the environment that is upsetting the beneficial trace metals in the human cells and immune system. This leads to a lower level of metals, like manganese, that block the reverse transcription of HIV. This is a very important concept from the End-Times predictions of huge health plagues sweeping the planet and all very predictable from the old biblical times for those that knew the mining industries.''<ref>http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/open-forum/12258-god-chemtrails-jim-phelps.html</ref>

==The abstruse conspiracy theory==

==The abstruse conspiracy theory==

[[image:testflugzeug.jpg|Rear of a test plane for simulating icing|300px|left|thumb]]

[[image:testflugzeug.jpg|Rear of a test plane for simulating icing|300px|left|thumb]]

[[image:Nkc135spay.jpg|The same plane in action|thumb]]

[[image:Nkc135spay.jpg|The same plane in action|thumb]]

Supporters of the 1990s chemtrail hypothesis believe, that certain substances that are not described clearly, are being mixed with the jet fuel, to create an effect on the global climate, especially the greenhouse effect. Other conspiracy theorists believe, that it is part of a world wide program to reduce the global population, or for birth or mind control. Behind these programs are, according the chemtrail groups, the [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]], the [[Illuminati]] or a Jewish conspiracy. There are often ties to right wing groups, "brown [[esotericism]]" and supporters of [[cloudbuster]], [[colloidal silver]] and [[Zapper|zappers]] according to [[Hulda Clark]]. Typical supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis are [[Georg Ritschl]], [[Werner Altnickel]], [[Peter Platte]], [[Helmut Gobsch]], [[Heinz Gerhard Vogelsang]], [[Don Croft]] and [[Rosalie Bertell]]. In Germany the far right NPD party started an inquiry into ''chemtrails'' in the state parliament of Saxony. The topic of chemtrails is often used as a catch in the right wing scene.

Supporters of the 1990ies chemtrail hypothesis believe certain substances - which are not described in detail - were mixed with the jet fuel in order to create an effect on the global climate, especially the greenhouse effect. Other conspiracy theorists believe it is part of a world wide program to reduce the global population, or for birth or even mind control. Behind these programs were, according to the chemtrail groups, the [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]], the [[Illuminati]] or a Jewish conspiracy. There are often ties to extremist right groups, "brown [[esotericism]]" and supporters of [[cloudbuster]], [[colloidal silver]] and [[Zapper|zappers]] according to [[Hulda Clark]]. Typical supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis are [[Georg Ritschl]], [[Werner Altnickel]], [[Peter Platte]], [[Helmut Gobsch]], [[Heinz Gerhard Vogelsang]], [[Don Croft]] and [[Rosalie Bertell]]. In Germany, extreme right political party NPD started an inquiry of ''chemtrails'' in the parliament of the federal state of Saxony. The issue of chemtrails is often used as a catch in the right wing scene.

Fallacious and unsupported assumptions are often promoted in the esoteric Swiss publication "Zeitenschrift"<ref>Zeitenschrift issue 49, 2006</ref>, in the [[Scientology]] affine "Neue Impulse Treff" network, and by the esoteric-libertarian "live Net Concept 2010" association. A popular photo "proof" of alleged chemtrail operations can be seen in the picture on the right: A modified Boeing NKC-135A Stratotanker (717-100) with the number 17244, stationed at the Edwards AFB in California.<ref>http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?cnsearch=17244&distinct_entry=true</ref> It sprays water to test the flight quality of planes under icing conditions. Tests are done on various kinds of planes, such as fighter jets<ref>[http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/040213-F-9999M-002.jpg USAF picture of icing experiment on a fighter jet]</ref> or a Embraer EMB-120RT.<ref>http://aircrafticing.grc.nasa.gov/courses/inflight_icing/resources/pdf/monroe_accident_report.pdf</ref> That plane has been decommissioned, now.

Fallacious and unsupported assumptions are often promoted in the esoteric Swiss publication "Zeitenschrift"<ref>Zeitenschrift issue 49, 2006</ref>, in "Neue Impulse Treff" network associated with [[Scientology]], and by the esoteric-libertarian association "live Net Concept 2010". A popular photographic "proof" of alleged chemtrail operations can be seen in the picture on the right: A modified Boeing NKC-135A Stratotanker (717-100) with the number 17244, stationed at Edwards AFB in California.<ref>http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?cnsearch=17244&distinct_entry=true</ref> It sprays water to test the flight quality of planes under icing conditions. Tests are done on various kinds of planes, such as fighter jets<ref>[http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/040213-F-9999M-002.jpg USAF picture of icing experiment on a fighter jet]</ref> or a Embraer EMB-120RT.<ref>http://aircrafticing.grc.nasa.gov/courses/inflight_icing/resources/pdf/monroe_accident_report.pdf</ref> That plane has been decommissioned meanwhile.

Popular among chemtrail supporters is the claim that so called low budget airlines, like the Irish Ryanair, are able to offer their flights at such a low price, because their secret main job is the creation of chemtrails.

Chemtrail supporters frequently claim that so called low budget airlines, like Irish Ryanair, are only able to offer flights at such low prices because their main job kept secret was the creation of chemtrails.

==Contrails and cloud formation==

==Contrails and cloud formation==

[[image:contrail.jpg|Meteorological conditions for the creation of contrails|600px|thumb]]

[[image:contrail.jpg|Meteorological conditions for the creation of contrails|600px|thumb]]

[[image:contrail2.jpg|thumb|600px]]

[[image:contrail2.jpg|thumb|600px]]

Contrails (also called Ice-SuperSaturated Regions(ISSR)) are visible clouds of liquid (condensed) or frozen water droplets, that form when the hot exhaust stream of airplanes meets cold air under the right circumstances. That decompression leads to cooling and condensation can be seen when a bottle of sparkling wine is opened. "Fog" appears above the liquid. The same process plays a big role in the creation of clouds and rain in the atmosphere.

Contrails (also called Ice-SuperSaturated Regions(ISSR)) are visible clouds of liquid (condensed) or frozen water droplets which form when hot exhaust streams of airplanes meet cold air under certain circumstances. Decompression causes cooling and condensation, as can be seen when a bottle of sparkling wine is opened. "Fog" appears above the liquid. The same process plays a major role in the creation of clouds and rain in the atmosphere.

Some forms of clouds that are caused by planes appear without the interference of any exhaust gases, for example ''winglet-contrails'', which can be observed by passengers forming at the wing tips of planes under the right conditions, even at low altitudes. Typical turbofan exhaust temperatures are at around 600 K.

Some forms of clouds caused by planes appear without the interference of any exhaust gasses, for example ''winglet-contrails'' which can be observed by flight passengers at the wing tips of planes under certain conditions, even at low altitudes. Typical turbofan exhaust temperatures are at 600 K approximately.

The formation of contrails can be explained physically: Generally water gets visible in the air, when the relative humidity (the number of water droplets in relation to the temperature of the air) exceeds 100%. The warmer the air is, the more water vapor can it hold. Modern planes travel at high altitudes, where it is very cold. The cold air can only hold small amounts of water. Water is created chemically when jet fuel is burnt, which exits the engines as an invisible gas. The surrounding cold air rapidly cools down the hot exhaust gas, and after a few meters (depending on temperature and humidity), lets the water crystallize, forming the contrail. The contrail remains visible until the water crystals are dispersed to the point where humidity drops below 100%. In a high pressure area with low humidity this happens rather fast, and no contrail at all forms when temperatures are high enough in the summer, like it is often the case in southern Europe for example. In the Arctic and Antarctic however contrails can sometimes form even at ground level.

The formation of contrails can be explained physically: Generally water gets visible in the air when relative humidity (number of water droplets in relation to temperature of the air) exceeds 100%. The warmer the air is, the more water vapor it can hold. Modern planes travel at high altitudes where temperatures are very cold. Cold air can only hold small amounts of water. Water is created chemically when jet fuel is burnt, and exits the engines as an invisible gas. The surrounding cold air rapidly cools down the hot exhaust gas, and after a few metres (depending on temperature and humidity) causes the water to crystallize, forming the contrail. The contrail remains visible until water crystals are dispersed to the point where humidity drops below 100%. In a high pressure area with low humidity this happens rather fast, and no contrail at all forms when temperatures are high enough in the summer, like it is often the case in southern Europe for example. In the Arctic and Antarctic, however, contrails can sometimes form even at ground level.

At certain weather conditions the contrails can expand, remain visible for hours, or gather more clouds to the point where it starts to rain. Supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis then say that the plane ''made'' the bad weather. In reality it is exactly the other way around. The persistent contrails indicate the upcoming bad weather, because low pressure areas typically have high humidity, and the added water (water vapor from the exhaust gas) is more than the air can absorb, and thus remains visible as fog or clouds. Sometimes the chemtrail supporters ask why the "spraying" has stopped. A quick look at the weather map helps: Usually there's a stable high pressure area with low humidity. Then, as soon as a low pressure area approaches, the ''chemtrail reports'' come in again. Generally contrails appear at temperature below -35°C, depending on altitude and humidity.

At certain weather conditions contrails can expand, remain visible for hours, or gather more clouds to the point where it starts to rain. Supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis then claim the plane ''made'' the bad weather. In reality it is exactly the other way around. Persistent contrails indicate upcoming bad weather, because low pressure areas typically come with high humidity, and the additional water (water vapor from the exhaust gas) is more than the air can absorb, and thus it will remain visible as fog or clouds. Sometimes chemtrail supporters ask why the "spraying" has stopped. A quick look at the weather map helps: Usually there is a stable high pressure area with low humidity. Then, as soon as a low pressure area approaches, the ''chemtrail reports'' will come in again. Generally contrails appear at temperatures below -35°C, depending on altitude and humidity.

*'''Short contrails''' form at an altitude of about 10km, if the temperature of the tropopause (10-15km) lies around -50°C with an humidity of below 70%. Ice crystals form, but sublimate after a few seconds and become invisible.

*'''Short contrails''' form at an altitude of about 10kms, if temperatures of the tropopause (10-15km) are about -50°C with a humidity below 70%. Ice crystals form, but sublimate after a few seconds and become invisible.

*'''Persistent contrails''' that may expand and even lead to the formation of artificial cirrus clouds form, when the tropopause reaches a humidity from 80-100%.<ref>http://www.welt.de/print-welt/article217386/Weisse_Streifen__am_Himmel.html</ref><ref>http://naca.central.cranfield.ac.uk/reports/1942/naca-wr-l-474.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.env.leeds.ac.uk/envi1200/slides/Chapter%209.pdf</ref>

*'''Persistent contrails''' which may expand and even lead to the formation of artificial cirrus clouds will form when the tropopause reaches a humidity of between 80-100%.<ref>http://www.welt.de/print-welt/article217386/Weisse_Streifen__am_Himmel.html</ref><ref>http://naca.central.cranfield.ac.uk/reports/1942/naca-wr-l-474.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.env.leeds.ac.uk/envi1200/slides/Chapter%209.pdf</ref>

*'''No contrails at all''' even at high altitudes form, when the temperature close to the ground during the summer increases to 25°C or higher, and the temperature of the lower tropopause (10-12km) reaches -40°C and higher, with a humidity below 30%. This happens in ''chemtrail free'' southern Europe during the summer. Below 25% humidity at 10km no ice crystals form.

*'''No contrails at all''' even at high altitudes when temperatures close to the ground increase to 25°C or above in summer, and temperatures of the lower tropopause (10-12km) reach -40°C and below, with a humidity below 30%. This is what happens in ''chemtrail free'' southern Europe in summer. Below a humidity of 25% at 10kms altitude, no ice crystals will form.

During the day contrails cover about 0.7% of the sky over Europe over the course of the year, at night (when contrails have an insulating effect) they cover about 0.25%. On average they cover about 0.5% of the sky.

During daytime, contrails will cover about 0.7% of the sky over Europe during the course of the year, at night (when contrails have an insulating effect) they will cover about 0.25%. On average they will cover about 0.5% of the sky.

When a plane flies through the not always straight and level (but wavy) border between warmer and colder air, it may appear as if the contrail is suddenly turned off or on, even repeatedly when there are turbulences. Air warms quicker over large dark (tarmac) surfaces than over wet meadows, and begins to rise, forming bubbles or "chimneys" of warm air. Different thermal phenomenons can exist next to each other. The results are the typical hops and bumps pilots of small airplanes experience. When contrails persist long enough their form gets changed by winds and turbulences - just like regular clouds. Different colors are the result of refraction and reflection of sunlight. These aspects are displayed on websites of chemtrail believers as unnatural, and evidence of chemicals. But they can actually be explained naturally, and are consistent with our understanding of meteorology and physics, requiring no additional hypotheses or conspiracy theories.

When a plane flies through the not always straight and level (but wavy) border between warmer and colder air, it may appear as if contrails are turned off or on suddenly, even repeatedly in case of turbulences. Air warms quicker over large dark (tarmac) surfaces than over wet meadows, and begins to rise, forming bubbles or "chimneys" of warm air. Different thermal phenomena can exist next to each other. This results in the typical hops and bumps pilots of small airplanes experience. When contrails persist long enough, their form will get changed by winds and turbulences - just like regular clouds. Different colors are the result of refraction and reflection of sunlight. Chemtrail believers' sites display these aspects as unnatural and evidence of chemicals. But they can actually be explained naturally, and in consistence with our knowledge of meteorology and physics, requiring no additional hypotheses or conspiracy theories.

Cloud-pictures of the kind that, according to supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis, are evidence of sprayed chemicals, are photographically documented from times even well before the first powered flight of the Wright brothers, for example in the 1905 book ''Clouds studies''.<ref>Clayden aW: http://contrailscience.com/files/Cloud_Studies.pdf</ref> The first actual contrails have been recorded  shortly after World War I<ref>http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/049/mwr-049-07-0412c.pdf</ref><ref>Everett Wells: Artikel in Scientific American, ”Clouds formed by Airplanes“, 7.6.1919, page 60</ref>, when ever more powerful planes reached ever higher altitudes. The first report of a contrail is based on a flight of pilot Franz Zeno Diemer, who reached an altitude of 9,300 m over Munich in 1919.

Cloud-pictures of the kind that, according to supporters of the chemtrail hypothesis, are evidence of sprayed chemicals, are photographically documented from times even well before the first powered flight of the Wright brothers, for example in the 1905 book ''Clouds studies''.<ref>Clayden aW: http://contrailscience.com/files/Cloud_Studies.pdf</ref> The first actual contrails have been recorded  shortly after World War I<ref>http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/049/mwr-049-07-0412c.pdf</ref><ref>Everett Wells: Artikel in Scientific American, ”Clouds formed by Airplanes“, 7.6.1919, page 60</ref>, when ever more powerful planes reached ever higher altitudes. The first report of a contrail is based on a flight of pilot Franz Zeno Diemer, who reached an altitude of 9,300 m over Munich in 1919.