Witness a mesmerizing mirage that is usually only seen in the Arctic circle.
Imagine standing on the stunning Cornish coast and seeing a boat seemingly sailing across the sky. That’s exactly what happened recently when visitors were treated to a rare optical illusion known as a mirage, typically found in the Arctic.
Renowned photographer Martin Stroud managed to capture this breathtaking moment in Coverack. Sharing the image on the Coverack Life Facebook group, Mr. Stroud exclaimed, “Almost looks like it’s flying! Beautiful day for a visit to Coverack.”
In the photograph, the water upon which the boat sails is so calm and still that it mirrors the color of the sky, creating a truly fantastical sight. The image has garnered immense praise on the local group, with one commenter describing it as “an amazing shot.”
Interestingly, similar phenomena have been witnessed before in Cornwall, albeit with varying explanations. In 2017, Rosie Patterson captured what appeared to be a “flying” container off the coast of Porthleven. Experts attributed this sight to a unique combination of conditions. The sea in the foreground of the picture was choppy, with waves, while further out to sea, where the ship was anchored, the water was calm and mirror-like. This contrast created the illusion of the ship appearing to be suspended in the sky.
However, when David Morris captured a similar image at Gillan Cove in March of last year, a different interpretation was provided. BBC meteorologist David Braine referred to it as a “superior mirage,” a phenomenon more common in the Arctic but occurring very rarely in the UK. A superior mirage causes the image to appear above the actual object due to colder and denser air below the line of sight compared to the air above it. This reversal of normal daytime conditions leads to light rays bending downwards as they pass through the so-called “temperature inversion.”
The sight of a ship apparently soaring through the heavens is truly extraordinary, and it serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders of nature. If you ever find yourself on the Cornish coast, keep an eye out for these incredible illusions – you never know what enchantments await!
