Sometimes, when you’re driving at night on a dark road, you see glowing lights that look like they're floating above the road, ghost lights! These are called phantom lights, and they happen because of how light bends in the air. When the temperature changes quickly between the hot road and the cool air above it, light rays bend, making it seem like there are lights or shapes floating where there are none. It’s like magic on the road!
Examples
- A child sees glowing balls above the road while riding in a car at night.
- Someone driving home late at night sees a ghostly light hovering just ahead of them.
- A person walking near the highway at dusk sees floating lights that look like spirits.
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See also
- Why Does Time Seem to Fly When You're Having Fun?
- What Causes the Sky to Change Colors at Sunset?
- What Causes the Northern Lights?
- What Causes a ‘Golden’ Sunset or Sunrise?
- How Does a Mirror Work Exactly?
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Categories: Physics · optics,light,phenomenon