This phenomena is real, and isn't necessarily tied to the "persistent stream" jets.

I have both photographed and have seen these black lines with the naked eye.

I have seen these black beams in front of jets as shown above, behind jets, and below jets, but I have also seen them in the sky when no jets were present.

Most of the black beams I've seen have been about as narrow as those shown above, but I have also seen an immense black beam, something more appropriate to call a "black stream" as it was about ten or more times the width of the beams shown above.

Several times I have seen these black beams running up to the sky from the ground at an approximately 70 degree angle - with the naked eye.

It's so bizarre. This is definitely happening, as are a whole host of other bizarre stuff.

Honestly, what the hell?

These beams are real, but I think calling them anything (e.g. scalar) is way too premature.

They are there nevertheless, and they can be seen with the naked eye. Just "look" at the skies - relax and observe the skies and you will, on occasion, see these.

Thanks for the post!! Another novel mystery presents itself. Really seems like we're not in Kansas anymore...

Only half the contrail shown is illuminated by the sun.
The other half is being in the shadow cast by the earth.
Plain and simple.
The rest is paranoia.

This is strange! What is that black trail?

The other day I was flying in a plane and from my window I could see this mysterious black trail that we were flying side by side with. The black trail seemed to end somewhere way in front of the plane I was flying where it formed a point. I was not able to see any plane by the point associated with it and was not able to see behind me to determine where the black trail originated from. It was going on for at least 20 minutes after I noticed it and then I fell asleep. Whatever this black trail was our plane never caught up with it and it seemed as though it was going at the same speed as the plane. There were some clouds in the sky. I do not think the black trail came from the plane I was on as it seemed to be more off in the distance (but not far enough from me) and it definitely was not there during the beginning of the flight.

I wonder...can pilots see this as they fly?

[edit on 11-5-2010 by anonymousjoe]