Re: [Paddlewise] Sloping sea illusion?

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 17:34:37 -0500
From: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>

> Maybe its caused by a local variation in refractive index of air a
> few meters above the sea surface. Line diagrams suggest it might be, but
> would water laden air cause enough change to explain the illusion?

The first thing I though of was refraction.  The refraction may be a temperature,
rather than humidity, effect.   Hot land, cool water - air temp low near the surface
and increasing with height.  Thermally caused refraction causes mirages and 
that's just a bending-around-the-horizon sort of thing, as your experience is.  
I think refraction and vertigo-like effects on balance organs would be the first
two likely candidates.

Mike


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Received on Wed Nov 28 2001 - 14:49:53 PST

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