Isle of Man snapped clearly from the Fleetwood coastline - here's why the atmospheric phenomenon happens
‘Isle of Man sighting is down to a natural phenomenon’
Conditions were perfect at sunset last night to see the Isle of Man from the Fleetwood coastline.
An orange sky and wind turbines gave way to the peaks of the Isle of Man on the horizon - a phenomenon that only occurs when the conditions are absolutely right making it a rare and striking feature.
The horizon across the sea is roughly 5km, yet the Isle of Man is around 113km from land at the Fylde Coast – but it can still sometimes be seen from Fleetwood.
Why is it visible on some occasions?
It’s all down to an atmospheric phenomenon called ‘Atmospheric Refraction’. This happens when cold sea air settles beneath warmer air, bending light from the island over the curvature of the Earth. And that is what makes it visible.
Last night it happened at sunset and the air was clear.
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What can you see?
The Isle of Man appears as bumps along the horizon. The largest ‘bump’ is the island’s tallest mountain Snaefell, over 2,000 feet, and usually it is the only part visible. However last night, much more of the higher points of the island were visible.
Local lore
According to other sources, some people believe the sharp visibility on the island is a sign of bad weather
Thank you to Harriet for sending in her picture