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Fata Morgana Mirage
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Fata Morgana Mirage
An example of a Fata Morgana mirage in the Straits of Messina; this complex mirage gives the appearance of objects floating or of being part underwater, part in air
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Media ID 599113
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10133278
1860 Appearance Complex Floating Ghostly Messina Mirage Phenomena Straits Under Water Mirages Morgana
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the enigmatic beauty of a Fata Morgana mirage, an intriguing natural phenomenon that has fascinated seafarers and observers for centuries. The image was taken in the late 1800s, circa 1860, in the Straits of Messina, a narrow waterway separating Italy and Sicily. The Fata Morgana mirage, named after the legendary sorceress of Arthurian legend, is a complex and deceptive optical illusion that distorts and manipulates the appearance of objects, giving them a ghostly, otherworldly quality. In this photograph, we see the illusion at its most striking: a town and a ship, seemingly part underwater and part in the air, defying the laws of nature. The historical significance of this mirage is not only rooted in its mystical allure but also in its practical implications for seafaring. Sailors have long been warned of the dangers of the Straits of Messina, where the Fata Morgana mirage can create a false sense of security, leading ships to run aground or collide with each other. Despite its deceptive appearance, the Fata Morgana mirage is a natural phenomenon, caused by the refraction of light through layers of air of different temperatures and densities. This photograph serves as a reminder of the wonders and mysteries that can be found in the natural world, and the importance of maintaining a sense of awe and wonder in our daily lives.
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