2006-07-31 00:31:06 · 14 answers · asked by courious 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
Main Entry: mi·rage
Pronunciation: m&-'räzh
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from mirer to look at, from Latin mirari
1 : an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of a pool of water or a mirror in which distant objects are seen inverted, and that is caused by the bending or reflection of rays of light by a layer of heated air of varying density
2 : something illusory and unattainable like a mirage
synonym see DELUSION
2006-07-31 00:36:18 · answer #1 · answered by dodiewayne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a mirage can be of water, cities , etc. They are caused by lightwaves refracting through different densities of air layers. This usually happens in hot, dry areas like deserts, the image can be from many miles away and appears to shimmer (that's the heat affecting the air) and never seems to get any closer regardless how fast you travel but it can disappear suddenly. Mirages are not of people or sexy maidens pouring cool drinks to parched traveller, that's hallucinations and completely different as these are created within the mind.
2006-07-31 00:43:07 · answer #2 · answered by franken4110 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On hot summer days in deserts, the surface of sand is heated stronglyby the sun. The apparent inverted images of distant objectsare commonly observed on the sand in desert. Thirsty travellers are mistaken these images to be a lake or a pool of water. This optical illusion is called as a mirage.
2006-07-31 00:41:28 · answer #3 · answered by sidrav_91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mirage is a phenomenon occurs due to the refraction of light. In deserts mirages usually occurs. Due to this phenomena distant objects seems to be very close
2006-07-31 00:36:32 · answer #4 · answered by sithara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optical effect looking like a sheet of water in the desert
2006-07-31 00:37:25 · answer #5 · answered by fem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fighter jet that the French manufactured back in the seventies.
2006-07-31 00:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by uselessadvice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an optical illusion caused by reflections from layers of atmosphere having different densities.
2006-07-31 00:36:43 · answer #7 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you havent had any liquids and you are almost dehydrated your mind starts to play tricks on you. The reason for it is because your brain is shutting down to preserve any liquids you have left.
2006-08-02 04:09:23 · answer #8 · answered by wiz_on_line 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an optical illusion, formed by the internal relection of light.
2006-07-31 00:43:26 · answer #9 · answered by jeson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A portal into a different dimension.
2006-07-31 00:34:34 · answer #10 · answered by Kitkat Bar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋