Mirages

Mirages are optical illusions caused by the refraction of light through layers of air with different densities. This bending of light creates an image of something distant, often appearing as though reflected by a body of water, especially in deserts or on hot roads. These deceptive visions are common in hot environments where temperature gradients are significant. They can also appear in cold environments, where inversions are present. mirages can be disconcerting, leading travelers to believe they are closer to water or another object than they actually are, resulting in the creation of fascinating spectacles.

Mirages meaning with examples

• The scorching desert sun played tricks on the weary travelers' eyes, creating shimmering mirages of inviting oases that vanished as they drew closer. Despite the deceptive visions, they kept moving. Their parched throats drove them to the brink of giving up.
• As the car sped down the endless highway, heat waves danced above the asphalt, forming mirages of what seemed to be glistening puddles of water, offering only false hope to quench their thirst. It was a long journey to their destination.
• Arctic explorers sometimes experience mirages over the vast, frozen landscapes, where distant icebergs appear distorted, giving an exaggerated impression of their size and location. They were very careful where they stepped.
• The exhausted hikers believed they spotted a shimmering mirage of a cool mountain lake, spurring them on with renewed determination, only to find barren rock when they arrived at the illusory vision.