Atmospheric Phenomena

Rainbows and Other Colorful Phenomena

What is the Fata Morgana?

This fantastical mirage gets its name from Italy, where this particular type of superior mirage is frequently seen in the Strait of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland. Named after the Arthurian legend of Morgan le Fay, who tales tell had a palace beneath the sea, this optical illusion occurs when light diffraction causes distant buildings to appear vertically stretched and, thus, more like castles.



Close

This is a web preview of the "The Handy Weather Answer Book" app. Many features only work on your mobile device. If you like what you see, we hope you will consider buying. Get the App