Riyadh: A mirage is a natural optical phenomenon caused by the refraction of light as it passes through layers of air with different temperatures and densities, creating illusory or distorted images of distant objects. It commonly occurs in desert regions and on roads during hot weather.

According to Saudi Press Agency, member of the AFAQ Society for Astronomy Barjas Al-Fulaih explained that a mirage occurs when light rays bend as they pass through layers of air with different temperatures and densities, creating illusory or distorted images of distant objects. He noted the phenomenon is one of the most prominent optical effects associated with hot weather.

Al-Fulaih elaborated that mirages may appear stable or shimmering, upright or inverted, and can make objects seem to be in positions different from their actual locations because of the bending of light. This apparent displacement may reach up to 10 degrees above the horizon, he mentioned.

Further, Al-Fulaih categorized mirages into two main types: the inferior mirage, the more common form, which appears above intensely heated surfaces such as roads and deserts, creating the illusion of a body of water; and the superior mirage, which forms over cold surfaces such as seas and snowfields due to temperature differences between layers of air.

He also highlighted that the effects of mirages are not limited to terrestrial objects but can extend to celestial bodies. The Sun, the Moon, planets, stars, and comets may appear distorted or multiplied, with sunrise and sunset mirages being among the most prominent examples.

Finally, Al-Fulaih remarked that mirages have been a feature throughout human history, associated with exploration and myths. They have inspired writers and philosophers and have become a literary and cultural symbol of false hope or goals that appear within reach but remain unattainable.