Optical Phenomena in the Arctic
Northern lights. Halos. Sundogs. Light pillars.
The Northern high latitudes offer many splendors and among the more interesting are the optical phenomena. One of my favorites is the “superior mirage” known as “Fata Morgana”. Here’s what Wiki says:
A Fata Morgana is an unusual and complex form of superior mirage that is seen in a narrow band right above the horizon. It is the Italian name for the Arthurian sorceress Morgan le Fay, from a belief that these mirages, often seen in the Strait of Messina, were fairy castles in the air or false land created by her witchcraft to lure sailors to their death. Although the term Fata Morgana is sometimes applied to other, more common kinds of mirages, the true Fata Morgana is not the same as an ordinary superior mirage, nor is it the same as an inferior mirage.
On an expedition cruise in Svalbard last summer, the inimitable John Rostad pointed out this “Fata” which I was lucky enough to capture on camera…
