To understand why chemtrail conspiracy theories attract attention, we need to explore how our minds work. These theories often appeal to our tendency to see patterns that aren't really there, our inclination to favour information that confirms our beliefs, and our fascination with secretive stories.

However, when we look at the scientific evidence, listen to experts, and consider the bigger picture of climate change, a different story emerges. In this article, we'll explore aviation, weather science, atmospheric studies, and their connections to climate change. By doing so, we aim to debunk the chemtrail conspiracy theories and provide a more grounded understanding of what's happening in the skies.

Understanding the phenomenon mistaken for chemtrails involves knowing about contrails. As the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) explains, contrails, or condensation trails, are the visible cloud-like streaks aeroplanes leave behind when flying at high altitudes under specific atmospheric conditions. They're mostly made of ice crystals or water droplets formed when hot aircraft engine exhaust mixes with very cold air at high altitudes. This rapid cooling and condensation create the trails we see in the sky, which can last for different lengths of time.

One of the core beliefs in chemtrail fake news suggests that aeroplane trails result from a deliberate release of harmful chemicals into the air. However, there is no credible scientific evidence or expert support for this claim. The main problem lies in the lack of solid proof showing any covert loading of chemicals onto aircraft.

There are studies, such as the one published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, in which experts in contrails and geochemists focusing on atmospheric dust deposition and pollution were consulted regarding this theory. 98.7% of those interviewed stated that there is no evidence supporting the existence of chemtrails. They emphasised that the data cited as evidence could be explained by other factors, such as the well-known physics and chemistry associated with aircraft contrails and atmospheric aerosols.

In today's digital era, technology offers easy access to real-time information that can disprove these theories. Smartphone apps like FlightRadar enable people to track flights above their location instantly. These apps allow concerned individuals to monitor flight paths, identify aircraft, and check altitude, offering a clearer understanding that the patterns in the sky come from normal aviation activities, not secret chemical releases.

Moreover, FlightRadar and similar tools can identify some military aircraft, though not all. This feature helps reassure those worried about secret military operations in the sky. It shows that even some military planes follow established flight paths and operate within regulated airspace, undermining the idea of covert chemical spraying by military forces. Essentially, FlightRadar serves as a powerful tool for educating the public, debunking unfounded conspiracy theories, and fostering a more informed and reasonable discussion about our skies and the different types of aircraft flying through them.

Contrails, though different from chemtrails, play a role in climate change. They can lead to the creation of cirrus clouds, which contribute to warming the Earth's atmosphere. This effect, termed "aviation-induced cloudiness," emphasises the need to examine contrails not as a conspiracy but as a valid scientific matter linked to climate considerations.

In a recent report by the European Geoscience Union, the significance of aviation in climate change has been highlighted. Beyond the well-known carbon dioxide emissions, the study reveals that contrail cirrus clouds play a significant role in climate alteration. According to the report, this impact could intensify with the predicted increase in air traffic. We are facing a scenario where aircraft-generated clouds have a more profound impact on terrestrial climate than we might have imagined.