inferior_mirage – An optical illusion produced when the stimulus presented to the senses has been altered by environmental conditions that affect the refractive index of the air.

The vision of a pool of water is created by light passing the layers of hot air above the heated surface of the land. The cooler layers of air are denser and refract the sun’s rays at different angles than the less dense strata of heated air. The result is the appearance of water where there is none.

The appearance of water where there is none.

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