Strange Cloud

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strange cloud
Taken by H.+J.Sperr on March 3, 2019 @ Alta, Norway

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Camera Used: Canon Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Exposure Time: 56/10
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 3200
Date Taken: 2019:03:05 16:58:45

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during waiting for northern lights I took a photo of this strange cloud. Does anybody has an idea what kind of cloud this could be ??? Photo taken on March, 03. 2019 at 6:51:28 p.m. about 25 Km West of Alta, Norway.

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Looks like a plane contrail

Posted by rmerzlyakov 2019-03-05 11:08:16

Maybe a smoke trail from meteor? How long was it visible?

Posted by dougr855 2019-03-05 14:46:27

Hey dougr855: I made alltogether 17 photos. on the first one ( 6:49 pm )there was nothing to see, only 2 satellites on the smoke possition. This smoke or cloud appeared at 6:51 pm till 6:55 pm ( 9 photos )and did not change his shape.
From 7:01 pm till 7:04 ( 7 photos ) the shape became less visible and appeared on the last photo like a thin cloud.

Posted by H.+J.Sperr 2019-03-05 15:39:12

Indeed it looks like a meteor trail and you missed seeing or imaging the meteor itself. However, the orientation of the other cirrus type clouds in the area, which are aligned in very similar fashion, make it look like a jet trail. If by chance the smoke trail disappeared quicker, drifted slower (should be higher up) or moved in a different direction, then it could be a meteor remnant. The area would have been lit up for 1-2 seconds by such a meteor.

Posted by GeorgeLiv 2019-03-06 01:50:14

This is a contrail, a part of it which remained more persistant for higher air humidity at its vicinity / altitude. According to the timing you took the pic at the beginning of astro twilight so higher altitudes still got some illumination after sunset and the contrail could get its share of that light too.

Posted by LandyGyebnar 2019-03-06 03:23:30

Thanks to all for your interesting posts !

Posted by H.+J.Sperr 2019-03-06 13:07:49

From one photo it is hard to tell. Could you please submit more photos, maybe one near the beginning, middle and end? Yes it does look like an isolated jet contrail segment. However, with 4 minutes of observation, it could be a dispersing meteor train as well. I think your photo sequence will give it away. Meteor trains are actually rather vertical and usually change shape because of the different “winds” at different heights. Contrails will often move together as a unit and similar to local cirrus clouds. So, it could be a meteor train?. Luckily your additional photos should easily allow it to be obvious. Please provide a site address or post. Good spot! Thanks.

Posted by AstroPilot 2019-03-08 10:42:53

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