Passengers aboard a sightseeing boat near St Ives, Cornwall, were left astonished after witnessing a mysterious mirage that appeared to create giant figures floating above the sea. The bizarre sight, which some described as resembling ghosts or aliens, was captured in photographs during a sea safari operated by St Ives Boats.
The Mysterious Phenomenon
Witnesses reported seeing enormous structures seemingly suspended over the horizon, with some estimating the eerie formations to be more than 100 metres tall. The shapes appeared to morph and change, adding to the confusion and intrigue among those on board. One passenger remarked, "It looked like ghosts or aliens."
Explanation from St Ives Boats
In a social media post, St Ives Boats explained: "It was surreal seeing these huge ‘structures’ and weird atmospheric changes and we and our passengers were just stunned at times. We’re sure that it was a visual distortion of the carrier and others of container ships all of which by this point were many miles away."
The Science Behind the Illusion
The dramatic effect is believed to have been caused by a rare optical illusion known as a Fata Morgana. This phenomenon occurs when light bends as it passes through layers of air at different temperatures, causing distant objects to appear distorted, stretched, or elevated above the horizon. Named after Morgan le Fay, the shape-shifting sorceress of Arthurian legend, the illusion has fascinated observers for centuries and is often linked to folklore and tales of phantom islands or floating castles.
Online Reactions
The images quickly sparked debate online, with social media users offering their own theories and jokes. One user commented: "It’s just AT-AT walker. Nothing to worry about…" Another said: "Ghost ships in the mist from years gone past." A third added: "I thought it was a bridge being built." A final simply put: "Aliens!"
