What is happening on this picture?

[PitotTube]

Why is the air condensating over the wings and from the wingtips?

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/358316/M/


http://www.airliners.net/photos/small/6/1/3/358316.jpg

thanks

[DANZ]

A perfect example of Bernoulli's Theory in action. The pressure envelope over the wing is clearly visible as are the wingtip vortices. The lower pressure above the wing results in a lower temperature and on this occassion (close temp and dew point, ie high humidity) this lowered temperature/pressure is enough to cause the water vapour in the air to condense and hence become visible.

The wingtip vortices result from the spanwise flow above and below the wingas it "spills" of the wing. On top of the wing the air is flowing "inwards" and below "outwards", ie High pressure to Low pressure. The formation of wingtip vortices is greatest at low airspeeds and high angle of attack, the exact situation this MD11 is in as it lands.

[witchdoctor]

It is obviously a cold day, and you can see the frosted breath from the lift monkeys.;)