Fata Morgana

A particular case of mirage, in which the image of objects located on the horizon, apart from rising and appearing inverted, becomes distorted both horizontally and vertically. It is, therefore, a multiple mirage, in which the characteristics of the inferior and superior mirages combine. Its name is an Italian expression meaning "fairy Morgana" and refers to the half-sister of King Arthur, who, according to Celtic mythology, had the power to change shape. This curious expression began to be used in southern Italy to describe this type of optical illusion which, relatively frequently, is observed in the Strait of Messina, in the stretch of sea separating Calabria from Sicily. There are references to the phenomenon dating back to classical times.