High Lat. Optical Illusions

[Tim Gosnell]

Hello All,

I am a new member (1st post). While helping work a friend's charter/supply boat on the northern Labrador coast I encountered thermocline generated optical illusions- basically on the water mirages.

The above takes place when comparitively warm air (low 60's F`) sits on top of a cold (approx. 34-35` F) body of water. This condition causes all kinds of distortions and other strange phenominon.

It can make objects such as land masses & icebergs visible well beyond the normal range. Some believe the Vikings could sometimes see Greenland from Iceland during these periods. Likewise the Labrador or Baffin Is. coast from Greenland. I recall one day motoring toward an iceberg that never seemed to get closer. No strong currents were present.

Islands can be inverted and stacked on top of themselfs. Rectangular icebergs can strech up into telephone polelike shapes or be flattened into pancakes.

I'm sure simular conditions take place in cold S. Lat. waters.

You all take care.

Tim Gosnell

[CaptainK]

Wow Tim.

That's a first time I ever heard of something like that. But strange?

I'm sure there are others on this forum. That might know of this phenomenon?

Anybody heard of this type of phenomenon?

[NoTies]

The term common down here for these effects is Fata Morganas. I have witnessed some weird & wonderful displays down here, though this year seems to have been less prolific than others for some reason. Last year I was driving out to the airfield and the optical illusion had "picked up" the aircraft and dumped them on the other side of the service huts!!
After all my time down here there is still a lot of "weird" factor in driving over a 200m thick floating iceshelf that is constantly moving and buckling. Throw in an optical illusion and sometimes you've got to wonder if that cigarette you just smoked maybe wasn't what you thought it was.
Another common effect is the tails of the aircraft totally disappearing and the fuselage doubling in size, or the fuselage disappearing and the tail doubling in size.
I knew there was a reason that pharmaceuticals were bad for you. This sort of thing still freaks out my chemically unenhanced brain after all these years, would hate to think what it would do if I was in LaLa land.

[Alan Wheeler]

It also does the strangest things with sound as well. The best I experianced was having a converstation with a guy 2 miles away on a very cold frosty morning. It was like he was about 100yards away. But as a sound engineer, trying to control concert sound could somtimes be a nightmare.

[NoTies]

Wheels, you should get yourself a grant under the "artists & writers" programme and come down here. A few years ago a guy came down under government funding to bang rocks together in front of a glacier terminal face and record the "music".

[Alan Wheeler]

Nah the government wouldn't give me a bean. You see, My experiments actually MAKE sense. It's the weirdos with the wacky idea's that get the funding. Or you have to be a cultural group wanting to study break dancing in the states to get the big money. Opps, did I go to far

[NoTies]

Never too far mate. Encouraging cultural development is great but some of the people resposible need to take a reality check sometimes. Sue & I will share some stories with you that will make your ears bleed.

[CaptainK]

I can understand "break dancing."

But I cannot understand hip-hop music, that these youngsters listen to today. Sounds like S*&# !!

[NoTies]

I get my son back by playing AC/DC or Bachmann Turner Overdrive at eardrum rupturing levels in the workshop. Mmm, could explain the tinnitus I suffer from.

[CaptainK]

The Who. Rolling Stones. Black Sabbath, (with or without Ozzy Osbourne).
ELO. KISS. Judas Priest. Queen. Thin Lizzy. Iron Maiden. And many more. Good hard rock!!

[NoTies]

That's the spirit, anything "BIG". I've also got Andreas Bocelli & Tchaikovski (sp) amongst others.

[Alan Wheeler]

Yeah... but old
and you are only in your 30's. Imagine how I feel.

[Alan Wheeler]

Hey Pete, by the time stamp you are obviousely here. Hey when are you home??
What are your sailing plans for Easter??

[CaptainK]

I also listen to classical music.

I also listen to all forms of jazz. Herb Alpert. Level 42. Stanley Clarke. Spyro Gyro. Etc.

[NoTies]

Hi wheels, we're on the same time zone down here for convenience sake. Due out on the 25th of this month. Haven't thought as far ahead as easter yet. What date is it?