Morning Refraction

The land masses of the NSW North Coast as seen across the Pacific Ocean from Byron Bay. What is remarkable about this image is that some of the land masses appear to be floating above the ocean surface. This is an optical illusion caused by the refraction of light due to total internal reflection off the ocean's warm surface air layer. Physics is everywhere.

Reflection And Refraction

As the warm air on the flat ground heats, it's index of refraction decreases and it can totally internally reflect light from the sky behind.

Refraction And Reflection

This rainbow was seen just north of Augathella in the usually dry outback of Queensland. There was not much rain here, just a shower, but it was still nice to see evidence of rainbows.