Is That A UFO Or Illusion Hovering Above Alaska’s Glacier Bay?
Video screenshot via Glacier Bay NP
Staff working at Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve recently posted a video of a UFO-esque object, “disguised” as an island, hovering over the water in the bay. Instead of aliens, the park has attributed the mysterious sighting to a Fata Morgana mirage.
“When air of different densities meet, the air in Earth’s atmosphere acts as a refracting lens, creating the mirage effect we see. Cool, calm air often forms at the water's surface- then, if warm dense air pushes down on the cool air at the surface, a lens is created,” it said in a Facebook post.
“This phenomenon occurred on a warm day (70ºF+) in Glacier Bay, but is not exclusive to summer months.”
According to Boing Boing, previous sightings of huge ships “floating in the air” have also been dismissed as part of the Fata Morgana mirage, though not everyone is convinced. Take a look at the incredible sight for yourself below.
Have you witnessed this mirage while in #GlacierBay? Fata Morgana is a mirage seen within a narrow band on Earth’s horizon. Islands in glacier bay turn to UFOs or the flying Dutchman with a little imagination and a pinch of cool science!#Mirage #Science #AKwx #FindYourPark pic.twitter.com/l0GTOYatSm
— Glacier Bay NP (@GlacierBayNPS) August 2, 2021
[via Boing Boing, cover image via Glacier Bay NP]
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