Ships appear to float due to optical illusion known as Fata Morgana

Ships appearing to float in the air is an optical illusion called Fata Morgana. This phenomenon occurs when light bends due to temperature differences in the atmosphere, distorting distant objects like ships and making them seem elevated above the horizon. Fata Morgana primarily happens over large bodies of water, where warm air sits above cooler air. This creates an atmospheric duct that acts like a lens, bending light rays and producing multiple images of the same object, which can look like floating ships. The term "Fata Morgana" comes from the legend of Morgan le Fay, adding a sense of mystery to the illusion. Recently, social media has popularized images of these floating ships, sparking discussions and theories about their origins, though scientific explanations clarify the phenomenon.