Fata Morgana is the Latin name for Morgan la Fay, King Arthur's shapeshifting fairy half-sister. Fata Morgana is a mirage that is commonly seen around McMurdo- it is an optical phenomenon that results from temperature inversion across the sea ice. This is called a superior mirage. The warm air hovering over the lower cool air creates a lense which reflects the real image up into the sky, above the actual horizon. What appears to be tall cliffs in the distance, are nothing but a mirage!
click on the image to get a larger view
The Fata Morgana yesterday was fantastic- taller than I've seen it. In the picure, you can see it rising above the wings of the airplane.
The sun barely sets anymore, but Dave captured some amazing photos of it brushing the distant mountains. These were taken from the Ice Runway, where Dave currently spends his working nights, moving cargo around.
a Basler- this plane can fly into pole as long a its above -54C
Hercs (C130)
2 comments:
hey sweetie! i love your bangs! i haven't seen you in forever but i'm so glad to see yer out adventur-ing :) i'm in salt lake city just back from new mexico. i'll always remember sitting with you on the top of that hotel roof after we climbed out the window and the ani concert! hope yer well! love, amber.
The "ice cliff"mirage is incredible. I wonder if anyone has ever tried climbing it? That'd be super cool.
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