A Fata Morgana is a complex form of superior mirage that is seen in a narrow band right above the horizon. This phenomenon is caused by atmospheric conditions, particularly temperature inversions, where warmer air overlays cooler air at ground level. Light rays bend, or refract, when they pass through air layers of different temperatures, leading to the appearance of distorted or elongated images.
Fata Morgana mirages can make objects appear stretched or stacked, like a series of towers, and they often change rapidly. They are most commonly seen at sea, over large lakes, or in polar regions, but can occur almost anywhere. The mirage can make objects such as ships or islands appear hovering above the horizon or distorted in unusual ways, contributing to its association with mystical and magical tales, hence the name “Fata Morgana,” which is derived from the Italian name for the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay.
