{"id":33472,"date":"2021-11-26T00:00:15","date_gmt":"2021-11-26T08:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/?p=33472"},"modified":"2021-12-10T11:24:37","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T19:24:37","slug":"november-26-2021-san-nicolas-island-fata-morgana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stormbruiser.com\/chase\/2021\/11\/26\/november-26-2021-san-nicolas-island-fata-morgana\/","title":{"rendered":"November 26, 2021 San Nicolas Island Fata Morgana"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I walked from Nicktown to a cliff\/overlook to the north on this afternoon, actually hoping to observe the “Fata Morgana” optical illusion. \u00a0And, it was happening! \u00a0This “superior image” optical effect is a distortion of light due to refraction. \u00a0I have seen the effect enough times to get a good idea of when it might be occurring. \u00a0The first important parameter is visibility. \u00a0If it is too hazy or foggy, then you aren’t going to be able to see distant objects or landforms. \u00a0On this day, visibility was well over 50 miles, so the Channel Islands and Santa Barbara Island (about 35-50 miles distant) were easily seen. \u00a0Secondly, there must be a relatively shallow layer of cool marine air (surface-based marine air!) beneath a warmer and drier layer. \u00a0In other words, a sharp low-level temperature inversion must be in place. \u00a0The air layer with the temperature inversion must be, generally speaking, in the line-of-sight from the observer to the distant object. \u00a0The distant object looks distorted as light is bent (or refracted) on its way to the eyes of the observer. \u00a0Look up “Fata Morgana” for more fun facts!<\/p>\n

The first three images below are of Santa Barbara Island, to the northeast. \u00a0The third image was taken not too long (ten minutes?) after the first two images, and the distortion effect has relaxed significantly. \u00a0Other Stormbruiser entries with Fata Morgana effects are here<\/a>\u00a0and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The other images are looking north and northwest towards Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands.<\/p>\n

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