 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Inferior Mirage Observed from Plemmirio, Syracuse, Italy

   February 12, 2021

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   Photographer:  Kevin Saragozza
   Summary Author:  Kevin Saragozza

    Mirages are quite common and very fascinating phenomena. Their
   mechanism of formation is a consequence of the laws of geometric
   optics, especially  refraction. We can distinguish mirages into two
   main classes;  superior (upper) mirages and  inferior (lower)
   mirages. An example of an inferior mirage, the type most often seen, is
   what looks to be wet asphalt on the road ahead of us on a hot summer’s
   day. What we’re seeing, in fact, is nothing more than the refracted
   image of the sky. On the photo above, taken near Plemmirio, Syracuse,
   Italy, we’re able to see the distant town of Portopalo di Capo Passero
   floating on the horizon, even though it’s some 25 miles (40 km) away.
   Of course, in the absence of this inferior mirage, we wouldn’t be able
   to see this far.

   Mirages are formed in the presence of rather intense  air
   temperature gradients -- an abrupt temperature variation between nearby
   air layers. When the temperature decreases very rapidly as the height
   above the ground increases, the density of the air changes just as
   rapidly. Because of this, a light ray no longer propagates in a
   straight line but is bent upwards and forms a lower mirage. As a
   result, an object appears lower than it is in reality, hence the name
   inferior mirage. Photo taken on December 13, 2020 (15:49 local time).

   Photo Details: Canon Eos R camera; + 70-200 2.8 lens; f9; 1/500 sec.
   exposure; ISO100
     * Plemmirio, Italy Coordinates:  37.0054, 15.3175

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Atmospheric Effects Links

     *  Atmospheric Optics
     *  Color and Light in Nature
     *  The Colors of Twillight and Sunset
     *  Refraction Index
     *  Image Gallery: Atmospheric Effects
     *  What is a Rainbow?

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

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