Morata fata

The effect of Fata Morgana (from Italian fata Morgana, ie, fairy Morgana, in reference to King Arthur's half-sister sorceress who, according to legend, was a fairy who could change her appearance), is an optical illusion effect. .

It is a mirage that is due to a thermal inversion. Objects on the horizon, such as islands, cliffs, boats or icebergs, have a broad and high appearance.

In calm weather, the regular separation between hot and cold (denser) air near the earth's surface can act as a refracting lens, producing an inverted image on which the distant image appears to float. The effects of Fata Morgana are usually visible in the morning after a cold night.

It is a common effect in high mountain valleys, where the effect is accentuated by the curvature of the valley. It is also commonly seen in the morning in the arctic seas, with the very calm sea, and is usual on the icy Antarctic surfaces.

The effects of Fata Morgana are so-called higher mirages, unlike the lower mirages, which are more common and create the illusion of distant water lakes in deserts or on roads with very hot asphalt.