THIS is the incredible moment a huge container ship appeared to float in the air near the coast of Greece in a stunning optical illusion.
Onlookers were left stunned after the cargo ship Achilleas appeared to float above the horizon as it traveled between the Greek mainland and one of its islands.
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Greek photographer Nontas Kalogiann captured the cargo ship Achilleas ‘floating in the air’ Credit: Kalogiannis Epam
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Another example of a bizarre optical illusion captured on the coast of Cornwall in 2022.
The stunning footage captured by Greek photographer Nontas Kalogiann is an example of a complex mirage called Fata Morgana.
Despite its spooky appearance, the effect has a simple explanation.
The phenomenon occurs when the sun heats the atmosphere above land or sea.
A layer of warmer air sits on top of a layer of cold air, causing the light from the ship to bend and the colors to blend.
For the Fata Morgana to appear, the atmospheric conditions must be right.
It begins with a cold air mass near the ground or water surface that is covered by a warm layer of air higher in the atmosphere.
Although this phenomenon can occur on land, they are more common at sea because the water helps create the necessary layer of cold air.
BBC meteorologist David Braine previously said the phenomenon was caused by conditions in the atmosphere that bend light.
“Superior mirages occur due to a weather condition known as a temperature inversion, where cold air lies near the sea and warmer air lies above it,” he said.
“Because cold air is denser than warm air, it bends light toward the eyes of someone standing on the ground or shore, changing the appearance of a distant object.”
The mirage is named after Morgan le Fay – a sorceress from the Arthurian legend – who is said to have used her witchcraft to lure unwitting sailors into her traps.
A mirage is thought to be the reason for sightings of the Flying Dutchman, a 17th-century “ghost ship” doomed to sail the seas forever.
A similar image of the illusion was taken on the British coast in 2022.
It shows a large cargo ship “floating in the air” near the small village of Coverack in Cornwall.
The stunning image was captured by photographer Martin Stroud while walking through the countryside.
Posting to Coverack Life on Facebook, he said: “Almost looks like it’s flying! Beautiful day to visit Coverack.”
The bizarre illusion has also been recorded three times near the Kent coast.
Multiple “floating ships” have also been recorded over the years near Devon and Aberdeenshire.
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A red cargo ship seen ‘floating’ off the coast of Banff, Aberdeenshire
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The bizarre illusion was also filmed three times neatly by KentCredit: Alamy
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education