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Post by Bill W on Jul 1, 2009 8:15:49 GMT
Fata what!?... I think this is an example of what is called a Fata Morgana or superior mirage. Although there has been diddly squat NLC wise due to the lovely low cloud here the otherwise gorgeous summer weather has other interesting effects. Given the right atmospheric conditions this type of mirage can form which exaggerates the vertical extent of distant objects. The first picture was taken at sea level looking from just south of Girvan over to Ailsa Craig. The mirage is the band along the horizon. Towards the right of the island you can see the lighthouse building stretched into a spire. As a comparison of both the effect and how shallow the refracting duct is, this second picture was taken a mile or so down the road but more importantly a couple of hundred feet in elevation. This shows how the island looks normally. The viewing angle has changed a bit but you can see the normal height of the lighthouse. The effect is gone! Best mirage I've seen in a long time.
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Post by PeteG on Jul 1, 2009 17:00:27 GMT
what is the name of that mound in the distance John?
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Post by markt on Jul 1, 2009 18:52:55 GMT
Great shots Bill and John! Very interesting effects! You know John i've been going to Anglesey year in year out for some 20 odd years now and i've never seen (despite looking) the IoM, let alone the Mourne Mountains. Do you have a particular vantage point you could recommend. Mynydd Bodafon with it's picturesque lake is my usual - any others? Mark
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Post by markt on Jul 6, 2009 6:32:36 GMT
When I see your pictures I wonder how i've missed it! What sort of angular distance does it cover on the horizon? Looking at your pics am I right in assuming these were taken with a telephoto lens and then stiched together.
I once had my 20x80s tripod mounted on Mynydd Bodafon and using a map followed the 'geography' of the Liverpool Bay area around, identifing towns etc as I went. Working round, and as it was dusk, I was sure I could make out the lights of Blackpool Tower and 'The Big One'.
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Post by markt on Jul 6, 2009 19:48:34 GMT
Wow, 30 degs! I think i've been looking for something alot smaller - I reckon it's been a case of not seeing the wood for the trees for me! I WILL make it my mission to see it in august. I'm over on the 8th thru to the 15th - perseid season - I'll give you a shout... I'm hoping for nice weather, looking at todays monthly forecast it's showery and unsettled until early august. I'm optimistic for a nice week - lots of meteors, jupiter, the milky way, solar in the day would be good - my idea of heaven!
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