Mirage - 6.2.2023 at 09.40 Kokkola Observation number 111904

Visibility V / V

Pentti Ketola, Ursa (Länsi-Suomi)

Here last summer, Veikko M. said that you can see mirages in all seasons,
so I headed for the sea ice when the first pleasant frosty weather was merciful after the dark autumn.
Yes, there on the horizon you could clearly see mirages in the shipping lane at the distant islands.

This description has been automatically translated from Finnish. Click here to see the original text.

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Additional information

Lightsource of the phenomenon
- Sunlight
How did the phenomenon move?
- Stayed put
How long time did you see the object fly in the sky?
- Over 20 seconds

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.

Technical information

Nikon Coolpix P1000. ISO 100. f/8. 1/125 sec.

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Mirage - 6.2.2023 at 09.40 Kokkola Observation number 111904