[justa-hairyape]

Contrails being lit on their tops by a setting sun are immaterial. A viewer near sea level would not see them, since they would have to be at horizon. We are talking about contrails that extend far above horizon. Up to about 45 % above horizon. Viewer at sea level could only see their bottoms or nothing at all.

That contrail image is not the contrail in the video. The contrail in the video angled to the right. Your contrail image angles to the left just as flight UPS902 or AWE808 would have to angle to fly over Fallbrook when viewed from the Long Beach area. And as someone else pointed out, note the uniform lighting of even that contrail.

Guess you plane people are just gonna have to live with the fact that you will not convince everyone. Got Physics ?

[Yardstick]

Contrails being lit on their tops by a setting sun are immaterial. A viewer near sea level would not see them, since they would have to be at horizon. We are talking about contrails that extend far above horizon. Up to about 45 % above horizon. Viewer at sea level could only see their bottoms or nothing at all.

The viewer on the ground will of course see the underside of the contrail. My point, which I think my drawing gets across pretty clearly, is that it's possible for a contrail to be lit from behind by the sun. To be honest, it's hard to tell exactly how the light is hitting it since it's coming in at such a grazing angle. It's either from slightly above or from slightly below, but mostly it's from "end on" -- i.e. in a direction running almost parallel to its length. It also appears to be getting light on its northern flank in some pics.

That contrail image is not the contrail in the video.

Yes, actually it is.

It's just that it's seen more from the side rather than head on.

[CharlesWayneCT]

We know we won't convince everybody. We do hold out hope that over time people will come to their senses, but that's not how it works out in many cases.

Some people will never accept that their first impression has to be right, even when it's shaped by people telling you the wrong thing.

Like how people might watch the 1st 30 second of this you-tube video, believe we have invented anti-gravity, and NEVER accept that they didn't get the perspective -- unless they get to see the entire video: Impossible Motion

[TXnMA]

Do you have the stupid belief that contrails are opaque? Ever see evena big dense cloud with "silver lining" around its edge?

Got physics?

The incoming vs outgoing question was answered exhaustively -- with illustrations of the perspective effects. The only outgoing trail that can possibly mimic an incoming one is one that is in direct line with the viewer (aligned to pass directly overhead). Noice that the outgoing trails DO NOT match reality. The incoming trails do.

Physics and perspective: get some -- it's good for you...

[TXnMA]

"Guess you plane people are just gonna have to live with the fact that you will not convince everyone. "

Indeed. We make no attempt to convince those with sub-mean IQ -- so...pigeonhole yourself if you wish...