A Different Perspective (Wavy Heat Distortion Time Lapse)

From 12 km point observation #8 (test #5). With my two better cameras used for the tests, I decided to try something different with the third camera. I set it on a small flat rock in the damp sand some 100 meters from the shoreline where my 'close' camera was set up. The ground in front of the camera is mostly flat and elevated a foot or so above the water. The idea was to capture a transition from the extreme wavy distortion which was present at the start of the observation, to hopefully less distortion as the sun disappeared and the air cooled down (or at least stopped warming).

The 12 km shoreline was very hazy at first but got much better towards the end. Inferior mirage persisted for the entire observation. I don't have a height reference but I could estimate close enough to determine how much of the ferry is hidden below the mirage fold line. Although, that is really what the test cameras are for. Full video on this test coming soon.

I tried not to disturb the camera at all but I did walk close to it a few times to make sure it was still recording and in focus. The camera should have been quite stable, which is why what it captured is very interesting. I still can't eliminate camera movement as a factor, so I'm hesitant to blame refraction for full frame movement. Maybe some of the test footage will reveal more. Bottom line is that I need more cameras!

[ryanqvincent]

The affects on the light shown up by the 'timelapse' are intriguing. Thanks for setting it to music. :) Thanks for sharing. Appreciated. Note: You are collecting quite a useful 'library' of observations of how light behaves in the real world and the effects it presents. Very interesting and useful.

[theplanetruth]

That lateral shift is an interesting facet to all this vertical refraction only nonsense.