Chemtrail conspiracy theory

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High flying white jet leaving an expanding contrail
High flying white jet leaving an expanding contrail

The Chemtrail conspiracy theory holds that the trails seen behind some aircraft are not ordinary contrails, but are the result of high-altitude spraying of some kind of chemicals for some secret purpose. There are different versions of the theory, which hypothesize different chemical composition and purposes. Lately, chemtrail theorists have suggested that the trails are composed of barium and aluminum oxide, and are an attempt to affect climate by reflecting sunlight in the atmosphere.

The term "chemtrail" does not refer to common forms of aerial dumping (e.g. crop dusting, cloud seeding or aerial firefighting). It specifically refers to systematic, high-altitude dumping of unknown substances for undisclosed purposes, resulting in the appearance of alleged unusual contrails.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The chemtrail theory apparently first achieved prominence in mid-to-late 1990s.[1][2] Chemtrails have been discussed on radio programs hosted by Art Bell and Jeff Rense with investigative journalist William Thomas who first reported on chemtrails.[3] According to a FAQ[4] posted at Jeff Rense's website, "chemtrails (CTs) look like contrails initially, but are much thicker, extend across the sky and are often laid down in varying patterns of X's, tic-tac-toe grids, cross-hatched and parallel lines. Instead of quickly dissipating, chemtrails expand and drip feathers and mares' tails. In 30 minutes or less, they open into wispy formations which join together, forming a thin white veil or a 'fake cirrus-type cloud' that persists for hours."

Many proponents believe that a chemical and/or biological agent is being released.[5] It has been suggested that Welsbach materials (oxides of metal, e.g., aluminum oxide) could be injected into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight. This could reduce the world temperature and thereby counteract the greenhouse effect to some extent. For example, in an article entitled "The Chemtrail Smoking Gun"[6] proponent Bruce Conway claims that chemtrails represent the implementation of technologies suggested in a 1992 National Academy of Science study, "Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming";[7] and are part of a secret project intended to mitigate global warming.

The Las Vegas Tribune, a free weekly broadsheet, ran an article on September 9, 2005, entitled "Chemtrails - Coming Out Of The Closet?",[8] wherein that publication's managing editor, Marcus K. Dalton, stated that United States Air Force scientists working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, told Columbus Alive[9]—a weekly entertainment magazine—that they had been conducting two aerial spraying experiments: "one involved aluminum oxide spraying related to global warming and the other involved barium stearate and had to do with high-tech military communications."[10]

"Chemtrails" are mentioned in House Bill HR 2977,[11] the Space Preservation Act of 2001, introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, where it appears as one of a list of "exotic weapons system[s]" to be banned under the bill. Proponents of the theory point to this as official acknowledgment of the possibility, at least, of such weapons systems. The entire list of exotic weapons was omitted from later versions of the bill.

Chemtrail advocates say these trails are often laid down in patterns, such as grids, Xs and crosshatches.
Chemtrail advocates say these trails are often laid down in patterns, such as grids, Xs and crosshatches.

Suggested purposes of the chemtrails include:

Suggested evidences of chemtrails include:

  • Patterns created by the trails
  • Time period for which trails persist
  • Odd nature/behavior of planes involved
    • Turning around, making a parallel trail
    • Apparent activation & deactivation of the trail
    • Non-standard 'spraying' equipment
    • Lack of radar visibility

[edit] USAF response

The United States Air Force describes the chemtrail theory as a "hoax",[12] stating that "The "Chemtrail" hoax has been investigated and refuted by many established and accredited universities, scientific organizations, and major media publications.". They answer each claim in the theory:

  • Contrails can remain visible for very long periods of time with the lifetime a function of the temperature, humidity, winds, and aircraft exhaust characteristics.
  • Contrails can form many shapes as they are dispersed by horizontal and vertical wind shear.
  • Sunlight refracted or reflected from contrails can produce vibrant and eye-catching colors and patterns.
  • Observation and scientific analysis of contrails and their duration date back to at least 1953.
  • The National Airspace System of the United States is oriented in an east-west and north-south grid with aircraft flying at designated 2000-foot increments of elevation (1000 feet after the introduction of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima in 2002-2004).
  • Contrails formed by aircraft may appear to form a grid as the winds disperse the contrails.
  • More contrails are seen in recent years due to the growth in the civil aviation market.

[edit] Skeptical response

Dense cloudy trails over a field.
Dense cloudy trails over a field.

Skeptical groups, including the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, assert that contrails normally exhibit a wide variation in appearance and that the descriptions and photographs of chemtrails are consistent with those of ordinary contrails.[13][14] The changeover from turbojet to turbofan engines over the last twenty years have caused differences in the style and temperature of jet exhaust, resulting in a different appearance from what conspiracy theorists remember contrails "used to look like". They also voice various objections to the idea of chemtrails:

  • Depending on what the alleged purpose of the chemtrail spraying would be, spray released above 30,000 feet is likely to be dispersed in a highly unpredictable manner, due to high-altitude winds.[15]
Dramatic, wide cloudy trails illuminated by London sunset
Dramatic, wide cloudy trails illuminated by London sunset
  • Assuming drugging the population is the purpose, the people behind the conspiracy would breathe the same air the population breathes, so any harm inflicted on the population would also be inflicted on those perpetrating the conspiracy.
  • Official and governmental bodies have consistently denied the existence of such spraying.[16][17]
  • To do this would require the cooperation and silence of a large number of low level employees of fuel/airline companies (either in the capacity of the contaminator or allowing the contamination to take place). It would be difficult to keep this a secret.
  • The Discovery Channel program "Best Evidence" tested commercial jet fuel during an episode entitled "Chemical Contrails" in 2007 and found no significant traces of aluminum or sulphur. [18]

[edit] Similar phenomena

Atmospheric trimethylaluminium trail left by NASA ionosphere study, 1978
Atmospheric trimethylaluminium trail left by NASA ionosphere study, 1978

Airplanes occasionally jettison fuel during emergency situations in flight.

NASA has discharged trimethylaluminium (TMA) into the air above the Atlantic Ocean, as part of a 2003 project to study the ionosphere, creating linear man-made clouds which glowed in the night sky before drifting and dispersing.[19]

Skywriting is the process of creating patterns or messages in the sky by leaving a smoke trail behind a small aircraft.

Weather modification or cloud seeding, however, are real practices that bear some similarities to the "chemtrail" phenomenon.[20]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Conspire This! Psychic Vibrations (Skeptical Inquirer November 2001)
  2. ^ Jay Reynold's material
  3. ^ William Thomas's website
  4. ^ Chemtrails - Frequently Asked Questions
  5. ^ Chemtrails - Contrails
  6. ^ http://www.altnews.info/chemtrails/chemtrailsmokinggun.html
  7. ^ Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Base
  8. ^ http://www.lasvegastribune.com/20050909/headline4.html
  9. ^ http://www.columbusalive.com/services/services.php?story=columbusalive/services/about.php
  10. ^ http://www.rense.com/general18/mn.htm "Stormy Weather", 22 December 2001
  11. ^ Space Preservation Act of 2001
  12. ^ Contrail Facts USAF Document on contrails and the chemtrail "hoax"
  13. ^ Chemtrails
  14. ^ Contrails / Chemtrails Analysis
  15. ^ Chemtrails article at navarrone.com
  16. ^ Chemtrails - Contrails
  17. ^ Chemtrails - Contrails
  18. ^ Discovery Channel : Science, History, Space, Tech, Sharks, News
  19. ^ article on TMAclouds on NASA web site
  20. ^ Weather Modification, Inc. (Cloud Seeding, atmospheric research, rain enhancement, cloud physics)

[edit] External links

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[edit] Pro-chemtrail theory sites

[edit] Image links

[edit] Chemtrails in the media

[edit] Skeptical links

[edit] Of associated interest

[edit] Further reading

  • Thomas, William, "Stolen Skies: The Chemtrail Mystery", Earth Island Journal, July 1, 2002
  • Smith, Jerry E, "Weather Warfare: The Military's Plan To Draft Mother Nature", Adventures Unlimited Press, December 30, 2006