Superior mirages and UFOs
Superior mirages and UFOs
Dr. Stephen Hughes, a physics/astrophysics lecturer at Queensland Institute of Technology, suggested that some UFO sightings can be explained using a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a ‘reverse’ or superior mirage. Why superior? Well, a standard or inferior mirage is when something on the horizon looks like it’s reflected in water. This illusion is caused by the inversion layer between the cold air near the ground and the warm air above. When light passes from the cold layer into the warm one, it’s reflected downwards and thus projects over the horizon. But temperture inversions can also occur high up, bouncing light from astronomical bodies, as well as aircrafts. So, if a plane flies into a spot occupied by an inversion layer, a light can appear to travel very quickly from miles away on the horizon towards the aircraft. As soon as the plane flies out of the inversion layer, the light will rush back towards the horizon. This erratic back and forth motion can be repeated multiple times, given multiple inversion spots. Consequently, what may look like a UFO zig-zagging at great speeds across the sky, could just be an optical illusion.Blinded by power of illusion, Courier-Mail.new.com.au