Optical Illusions

[supernova1965]

Can anyone explain what is happening in this photo of two distant ships the one on the right is shown completely intact and the one on the left has bits missing :question:

[jjjnettie]

Is it the Mirage effect?
Or
Is it because it's just that little bit over the horizon?

Very interesting photo.

[supernova1965]

Yeah it is interesting isn't it JJJ I forgot about Mirage but I thought it would affect both ships the same I can see it on the right hand one but not as much:confused2:. Here is the uncropped image by naked eye I could see the ships normally.

[renormalised]

JJJ, you hit the nail right on the head:)

It's due to refraction occurring to the ship's image when it's either on or just over the horizon from the standpoint of the observer. The ship's image will variously appear and disappear as the ship moves and the conditions in the boundary layer of air just above the ocean's surface changes.