Simple science explains what was actually happening when plane was spotted not moving
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: Credit: tania.draws/TikTok
When a video of a plane 'hanging in the air' went viral, many people were convinced that a 'glitch in the Matrix' was to blame.
However, the unusual sight can be explained by science - so there's no need for anybody to panic or question the nature of reality just yet.
The clip, shared to TikTok by user Tania, has accumulated millions of viewers and left thousands of commenters equally baffled.
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In the video, Tania is in a car driving along a road, as she spots a passenger plane in the air above the traffic.
The plane appears to be stationary, leading Tania to cry out: "I told you! I told you! Did I not tell you? That is f**king crazy! Bro!"
Tania wrote: "Glitch in Matrix? This isn't the first time I've seen this in Chicago either."
Other TikTok users shared their confusion in the comments.
One wrote: "I would've had to pull over & get out to make sure I was seeing this correctly…. This is wicked lol."
Another commenter said: "Can't no plane just sit in idle… yeah definitely a glitch," as another wrote: "Dude this confirms way back I saw a plane stay in one spot and looked at everyone around me they thought I was nuts..."
Some other viewers weren't as convinced, with one remarking: "Have you heard of the relativity of motion?"
Another wrote: "The comment section is filled with people who never studied physics."
And it seems the sceptics have it right, as the seemingly alarming phenomena can be explained by simple science.
The planes aren't stuck in the sky - such an incident would no doubt be alarming to all the passengers on board.
What's most likely happening is that the plane is caught up in very strong headwinds - this is the wind that blows against an object in travel - which results in it moving very slowly.
The plane could also be slowing down because it's trying to land.
To people on the ground who see the plane for a few seconds and are travelling in the opposite direction, it may appear that the plane has stopped moving altogether.
Commenting on a similar optical illusion video, Metro's technology editor Jeff Parsons said: "In all likelihood the motion of the car is counteracting the slowing down of the plane – possibly as it comes in to land.
"Add to that the shifting perspective of the camera and it could seem as if the plane was stationary in the air."
Not as fun as the 'glitch in the Matrix' explanation, is it?