Ship ‘floating in the sky!’ Mind-boggling images captured along Greek coastline; see pics

Times of IndiaTIMESOFINDIA.COM/TRAVEL NEWS, GREECE/ Created : May 13, 2024, 15:35 IST

Ship ‘floating in the sky!’ Mind-boggling images captured along Greek coastline; see pics

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This phenomenon has been observed in several parts of Greece, such as the western side of Samothrace. It is believed to be the inspiration behind the legend of the Flying Dutchman, as detailed in Jonathan Eyers' 2011 book ‘Don't S … Read more

Ship ‘floating in the sky!’ Mind-boggling images captured along Greek coastline; see pics

The Achilleas, an enormous freight ship, appeared to be 'floating' as it travelled the shipping route between Greece's mainland at Kimi and Skiros, one of its numerous islands. However, what caught the attention of many was the uncanny photograph that was captured by Greek photographer Nontas Kalogiannis.

This photo serves as an illustration of a peculiar optical phenomenon known as Fata Morgana. Named after Morgan Le Fey, a figure from Arthurian legend, this intricate illusion occurs due to the bending of light as it passes through layers of air with varying temperatures. This bending results in the distortion and alteration of images of objects, both to the human eye and to cameras. While Fata Morgana illusions often produce inverted images, under specific conditions, they can appear right-side up, leading to unsettling apparitions, particularly at sea.

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This phenomenon has been observed in several parts of Greece, such as the western side of Samothrace. It is believed to be the inspiration behind the legend of the Flying Dutchman, as detailed in Jonathan Eyers' 2011 book ‘Don't Shoot the Albatross!: Nautical Myths and Superstitions.’ Moreover, this mirage, known as Fata Morgana, is not confined to the sea and can account for various unusual sightings, including mountains seemingly hovering.

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Frata Morgana, the Italian name for Morgan le Fay, the Arthurian sorceress reputed to employ witchcraft to conjure fairy castles to entice sailors to their demise, has led to numerous instances of 'floating ships' being documented over the years. For instance, boats have appeared to hover off the coast of Britain in Cornwall, Devon, and Aberdeenshire. Another sighting involved four ships seemingly suspended above the sea off the coast of Cyprus, forming a line just east of the southern city of Limassol.

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The mind-bending photograph, taken by Greek photographer Nontas Kalogiannis, offers us an example of the intricate mirage known as Fata Morgana. Despite its spectral appearance, the phenomenon has a straightforward explanation. It occurs when the sun heats the atmosphere above either land or sea, creating a warm layer of air atop a cooler layer. This temperature differential causes light from the ship to bend, resulting in the blending of colors.

For a Fata Morgana to manifest, atmospheric conditions must align perfectly. It typically begins with a cold air mass near the ground or water's surface, overlaid by a warmer layer of air higher in the atmosphere. Although such phenomena can occur on land, they are more prevalent at sea due to the presence of water, which aids in the formation of the requisite cool air layer.