Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
How do we know the world is round? For most of humanity, we’ll never get the chance to go up on a NASA mission to see Mother Earth from outer space. But if you have a wide enough vista of clear sky, just watch a commercial jet and you’ll actually see that while it maintains a straight, undeviating course, the earth’s curvature actually makes it look as if the jet is turning.
This shot was taken on the Easter weekend this year. The Authorbloglets and their friends were out and about near the sea – and a couple of camera buffs were shooting the coastline and other familiar scenes.
At one stage, I walked over to a nearby bench to change lenses. Unable to resist watching the condensation trail of an airliner high overhead, I happened to notice the contrail beginning to form an arc.
I instantly forgot all about changing my lens to the zoom I had in my camera bag. Instead, I stuck with my normal lens and shot this second image (below) while practically lying on my back.
For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.
33 comments:
Nice one! That should be one in the face of "The Flat Earth Society" :-)
Great escape rout!
Along the lines of what goes around, comes around, eh?
I remember a cloudless day on a beach here in Connecticut. I could practically feel the bubble of the sky around me. Your second photo brought me right back there! Thanks for the memory!
Amazing. I wonder how high and how fast the jet was.
So simple yet so beautiful!
Nice shot! I look at that and think...hmmm, there goes the plane going somewhere that I want to go.
That is a wonderful photo.
Good explanation and great photo.
Come visit 'Prairie Barrens' under a hot sky, Click here.
Troy and Martha
nice shot as the clouds seem to swirl in its wake...
I had never noticed that effect to me it looks like the jet is just changing course. Next time ill have to take more notice when a high altitude jet flys by.
Great shots David!
I have some shots like that myself somewhere - your shots brought back my memories of the time I chased them :)
Have a great weekend!
Anna
Terrific, David! We get lots of those trails over our house because we are fairly near the airport and the Sound. The condensation trails are always changing and somehow always manage to look just slightly different. I love capturing them when I can.
Cheers!
Sylvia
Sometimes I feel the contrails are interfering with my shot. This is a new way of looking at them.
The curve is plane to see!
Hello stranger. Lovely work as always.
Great!! your words DO the picture David. Love it :-)
Hugs form Anne
Nice image.
Sometimes its worth assuming odd positions to get the most fascinating shots! This one is a beauty!
Very nice photo!!
Love it.
Take care!!
Happy SWF
Yes! Up and away caught beautifully.
Great photo! Let the Authorbloglets know Kyle is ready for the BBQ! enJOY your day!
Interesting! I am going to have to go outdoors and watch a while. We have lots of jets in the sky all the time.
Good observation.
Good observation of the contrail beginning to form an arc. I like this post.
Personal Learning Curve, is it?;)
I'd never thought of it like that before. Fascinating and great pics. Thanks.
Nice job, Dave. Pretty clouds too.
Thanks for the visit! I'll drop in occasionally. I have a source for images of Australian fruit jars, and he claims to have one of every variety from your corner of the globe. I'd like to find some Australian paper to put my art work on, and I watch eBay very closely for glass company paper. I don't know how much looking around you did on my blog, but there are several examples of "Thank You's" that I send to people who help me in my pursuit of old paper. Please keep that in mind when you wander about!
Wow...lying on our backs in the grass of my grand mother's front lawn, I clearly remember seeing the exact action you're talking about! Thanks for THAT memory, David...
Sandi
Interesting observation, and a great shot.
But if the plane is flying stright, why doesn't it leave the atmosphere and head into outer space? Hmmm ...?
(Actually, I know the answer to that, but it was a question I pondered in my youth.)
Great photos!
have a nice weeknd:)
David: What a neat capture.
David, all my life I've grown up near airports, both civilian or military. And I've seen hundreds of con trails. Funny that I never thought of them in that way before. The curve of the earth, huh? Once again you've taught me something. Thank you, my friend!
Joy!
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