How does a mirage work?

Question

How does a mirage work?

Answer 1

Near the hot ground on a summer day, air very near the ground becomes extremely hot and light, while air considerably above the ground remains dense.Light rays coming from a distant object towards the ground are continuously refracted away from the normal and undergo total internal reflection and the image of the object appears to come to the observer as if after reflection from a water surface.This optical illusion is known as the mirage.

Answer 2

A name for a variety of unusual images of distant objects seen as a result of the bending of light rays in the atmosphere during abnormal vertical distribution of air density. If the air closer to the ground is much warmer than the air above, the rays are bent in such a way that they enter the observer's eyes along a line lower than the direct line of sight. The object is then seen below the horizon, the inferior mirage. If the air closer to the ground is much colder than the air above, the rays are bent in the opposite direction, arriving at the observer's eyes above the line of sight; the object then seems to be elevated or floating in the air, the superior mirage. Mirages can be seen most frequently along an overheated highway surface; the inferior mirage of the sky gives the impression of water reflection over a wet pavement, which disappears upon a closer viewing.

Answer 3

Heat can causes the sun to appear as vapor and from their your eyes play tricks on you..

Answer 4

Mirages occur when there is a rapid shift in air density in the atmosphere -- when the air at one level is a lot hotter than the air at an adjoining level

Answer 5

It's all done with mirrors!