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Here in Anchorage recently we've been experiencing temperatures near zero F(-18C) and very still air. These are perfect conditions to see/experience Fata Morgana mirage effects. I've posted two versions of the same scene shot on different days, one with and one without the effect. I'm posting the images in B/W to make it easier to compare the geometry. I found the color distracted from the effect.
One thing that's different about Fata Morgana versus typical mirage effect seen in hot air conditions is that the Fata Morgana effect results in a distorted but very stable image due to the nature of the cold/still air. Mirage effects in hot air conditions tend to have a wavy/shimmering effect due to air currents caused by the hot air rising. Below is an excerpt from the explanation of Fata Morgana found at SkyBrary Aviation Safety which you can refer to for additional/more detailed information.
A Fata Morgana is a type of mirage. A mirage is an image caused by atmospheric ... bending of light waves as they move through mediums of different density, typically layers of air with different temperatures. In particular, a Fata Morgana is a superior mirage.
A superior mirage occurs when there is a temperature inversion; the air below the line of sight is colder than the air above it. Passing through the temperature inversion, the light rays are bent down, and so the image appears above the true object, hence the name superior. Most superior mirages tend to be stable, as cold air has no tendency to move up and warm air has no tendency to move down. Superior mirages can make objects below the horizon visible at least in some form or distort the image of an object at the horizon....Show more →
Fata Morgana effect on Mount Redoubt viewed from roughly 1500ft(300m) elevation and 110 miles(175km) distant.
Same scene on a different day and without the optical distortion.
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