Why Do We See Mirages on Hot Roads?

Mirages happen when the hot road makes the air above it wobbly, and that wobbly air bends the light. It’s like looking through a wavy pool of water, everything seems to shift and shimmer. That's why you think you see water on the road, even though there is none.

Take the quiz →

Examples

A hot road looks like it has water on it when you're driving in the summer.
You see a shimmering pool on a dry beach, but it’s just heat making the air wobbly.
On a sunny day, your friend thinks they saw a lake in the distance, but there was no lake.

Ask a question

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Physics · optics· mirage· refraction· heat· perception