Is a mirage an example of refraction?

Answer 1

A mirage is the product of refraction, specifically at a moment when atmospheric

refraction is unusually great.

-- Because of the normal properties of atmosphere, light almost always curves downward

slightly as it travels through air. That's normal refraction.

-- During unusual atmospheric conditions, light may curve downward more sharply

as it travels. When that's happening . . .

-- Think of the light leaving an object, like a camel or a palm tree, at some unusually

elevated angle above the horizon, and heading away from the surface.

-- That light bends down more sharply than usual, and after traveling some unusually

great distance, it's descending toward the surface.

-- Somebody standing there where that light returns to the surface sees the object.

But the light is coming at him from an unusually elevated angle, so it looks as if the

camel or the palm tree is unusually high, in the sky, because that's where he's looking

when he sees it.

-- The unusual atmospheric conditions that can lead to this phenomenon typically

consist of rapid increase of temperature and/or decrease in air pressure as you go up

in altitude ... exactly what often happens in harsh desert, and a big part of the reason

why the legends of flying horses and magic carpets come from places like that.

Answer 2

Either of those processes can result in seeing something that's not there.

Refraction is the cause of the image of a flying horse or a magic carpet in the sky.

Reflection is the cause of the image of water on the ground.

Answer 3

Atmospheric refraction is responsible for the presence of a mirage.

Answer 4

Not exactly. The mirage itself is not refraction, but refraction

is the process that's responsible for its appearance.

Answer 5

refraction