Mirages

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Mirages
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Variable Index of Refraction

• Not many places in the physical world have a
  variable index of refraction
• Atmosphere is one
• Speed of light dependent on density of air
• There are only two possibilities for a simply
  stratified atmosphere
• There are some complex stratified atmospheres

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This
C1
CgtC1
or This
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Very Hot Day
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Very Hot Summer Day
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Height (m)
.5
130
70
Temperature (F)
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Most common mirage
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Looming
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Fata Morgana

• Usually seen after cold air overflows warm water
  but there is probably a strong subsidence
  inversion as well
• Sometimes whole images taken aloft
• May also involve inverting the image
• If waves in the inversion are present, a faerie
  bridge in the nevernever may be seen. This has
  been simulated by ray tracing programs

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