Mirage - 5.5.2023 at 07.35 Helsinki Observation number 115829

Visibility IV / V

Georg Kieninger

A mirage of a ship (possibly two ships) on Helsinki's morning sea horizon.

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Additional information

Common atmospheric phenomena
- Mirage
  
  Mirage is a light phenomenon that occurs when there are layers of air of different temperatures in the atmosphere. The light gets reflected between these different layers.
  
  This can happen, for example, in the spring over the water when the sea is still cold and the sun is already heating up the air .
  
  In mirages, distant objects may appear even if you do not otherwise see them. Their shape is more or less distorted. Objects like boats or islands may also appear to be hanging upside down in the sky.
  
  Mirages involving landscape objects and celestial bodies are reported to the Skywarden. Asphalt mirages are not collected, since they are quite common during the summer months.
  
  In this mirage small islands seem to be hanging from the air over the sea. Image by Peter von Bagh.
  
  The Moon distorted on a mirage. Photo by Aki Taavitsainen.
  
  Island mirages over an ocean covered by ice. Image by Pentti Arpalahti.

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Mirage - 5.5.2023 at 07.35 Helsinki Observation number 115829