Stationary Airplane Illusion

Over the years, usually near airports, I've seen jet planes stationary in the sky.

Of course, I know this is impossible, but what is the science behind the illusion?

In the most recent case, I was riding an Amtrak train, going north and east, near EWR,
and I saw a plane outside the window, landing (I think) in the opposite direction of the train,
that is, toward the south and west. The plane appeared to hover in the air.

Every other time I saw a stationary plane, I was always in a vehicle- usually a car.

Any idea how this works?

Larry


--
"There's no such thing as Free Parking!"
Larry Gould

Larry Gould wrote:

Over the years, usually near airports, I've seen jet planes stationary in the sky.

Of course, I know this is impossible, but what is the science behind the illusion?

In the most recent case, I was riding an Amtrak train, going north and east, near EWR,
and I saw a plane outside the window, landing (I think) in the opposite direction of the train,
that is, toward the south and west. The plane appeared to hover in the air.

Every other time I saw a stationary plane, I was always in a vehicle- usually a car.

Any idea how this works?

Larry


When you look at stars, do they appear to move before you eyes?

On Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:18:12 -0800 'Mr. Travel'
wrote this on rec.travel.air:

When you look at stars, do they appear to move before you eyes?

Only after 17 whiskies ;-)