| Summary: | loom An unusual lapse rate of temperature (and therefore density as well) with height immediately above the sea (or land) surface produces a dis- tortion in the appearance of objects near the horizon; such a phenomenon is known as mirage. [enter symbol] When the surface is relatively cold (and the wind ver y light) so that the density of the air decreases rapidly for a short distance above the surface, light rays from objects low down near the horizon are bent down, the same way in fact as are usually the rays of the sun when entering the earth's atmosphere at a low altititude. The effect is to render visible objects that are normally below the horizon, e.g. lights may be 'raised' at night to much greater distances than one would ordinarily expect. This phenomenon is known as 'looming.' PRINTED ITEM Not used Not used Withdrawn Checked by Jordyn Hughes on Wed 17 May 2015
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