Mirages look like water in the desert, but they're not real. When it’s super hot, the ground gets really warm, and the air near the ground becomes lighter and less dense. This makes light bend, or refract, which tricks our eyes into seeing a reflection that looks like a lake or puddle. It’s like when you look at a straw in a glass of water and it seems bent, it's the same idea!
Examples
- A hot road in summer looks like it has water on it.
- A dry lake bed seems to have waves and reflections when the sun is high.
- A camel walking through a desert appears to be walking on a shimmering river.
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See also
- What Causes a ‘Mirage’ and How Does It Work?
- What Causes a Mirage?
- What Causes a ‘Mirage’ on the Road?
- What Causes ‘Mirages’ on Hot Roads?
- What Causes a Mirage on a Hot Day?
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