Fata Morgana

Strait of Messina

For a Fata Morgana to appear, the atmospheric conditions have to be just right. It starts with a cold air mass close to the ground or surface of the water that is topped by a warm layer of air higher in the atmosphere. Fata Morgana is common at sea because water helps to form the cool air layer required. During a Fata Morgana sighting, rays of light passing through the warm and cool air masses bend strangely, which makes the mirage appear. Usually, the image is based on a real object, such as a far-off ship (like image above), distorted to appear surreal. People report seeing floating ships, ships that appear to be flying upside down, or even landmasses that are not really there. The farther away from a Fata Morgana you are, the taller the mirage appears to be. Fata Morgana is a mesmerizing optical illusion frequently observed in the Strait of Messina from the shores of Reggio Calabria.