Contrail Protocol - Draft 4/2005

• Record the date on the data table
• Go outside to designated location
• Record the time in local time - convert to GMT if you are able
• Determine if there will be any contrails to measure for that date and time - if there are not, fill in NA for all categories, and return to the classroom/lab to record your data. REMEMBER: NO DATA IS AS IMPORTANT AS LOTS OF DATA!
• Set compass on the ground
• Line up the North arrow with the N, and leave it there. You will use this as a reference while you collect the data
• Figure out your quadrants (of the sky) for recording data.
  • Making a square with a partner (see foot positions) with one facing NE and the other facing SW - if arms are outstretched over feet, you will form a square.
  • The person facing SW will become the recorder.
• Determine height from the horizon for recording contrails where 12 o'clock is directly overhead, and 3 o'clock is on the horizon
• Record all clouds in this quadrant using the following steps:
  1. Holding a ruler at arm's length, measure from the plane to the end of the contrail, such that the plane is at the 0 end of the meter stick
     1. If the contrail is < 2cm, measure it to the nearest mm (0.1 cm)
     2. If the contrail is between 2-10 cm, measure it to the nearest 0.5cm
     3. If the contrail is >10cm, measure it to the nearest cm
  2. Determine if the contrail width needs to be measured - if it is >1 cm, the width should be measured. Use the same protocols for measuring width as length.
  3. Record the data in the spaces provided on the data table. Be sure to record a number or NA in each space.
• Repeat the above steps for all 4 quadrants, making a quarter turn to the right each time. You should do the quadrants in the following order: NE, SE, SW, and NW, switching recorders for the SW and NW quadrants