Does anyone have any insight on what I’m looking at?
Time: 9:02 PM EST
Location: Lakeside, VA, Henrico County
A friend just sent me this video, and I’m curious if anyone can identify the type of aircraft that leaves this trail or has any theories about it. His location is about 30 minutes from the base in Virginia Beach, but he’s never witnessed anything like this before. Any thoughts?
It sounds like an interesting sighting! The trail you’re describing could be from a few different sources. It’s possible that it’s a contrail from a high-altitude aircraft, which can appear quite thick and persistent under certain atmospheric conditions. Given the timing and location near military bases, it could also be a military aircraft, as they sometimes operate at night and might leave unique trails.
Another possibility is a rocket launch or military exercise, which could create visible trails or vapor. If the trail seemed to dissipate quickly or had a distinct shape, it might suggest something unusual.
Sharing a bit more detail about what the trail looked like (color, length, shape) or if there were any other accompanying lights or sounds could help narrow it down. Additionally, local news or military websites sometimes post about training exercises or launches, so that could be worth checking out too!