All over the world, there are naturally occurring optical illusions that captivate spectators. Cloud formations can sometimes make it seem like there's an ocean or a UFO in the sky. Whether it is salt ...

MISSOULA, Mont. — While up in the mountains, have you ever looked down on a cloud or fog bank below and seen concentric rings of light surrounding your shadow? A viewer recently shared a photo of this ...

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for the ability to read other people’s thoughts or the ability to see into your own heart, all you have to do is stare at the horizon directly at sunrise or ...

Earth's passage through the plane of Saturn's rings, occurring roughly every 15 years, causes the rings to appear nearly edge-on. The next such event in March 2025 will be poorly observable due to ...

In June 2023, something extraordinary happened over the Alabama River—an optical phenomenon turned it into a shimmering golden dragon, visible only from space. Captured by an astronaut aboard the ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A optical illusion appeared off the First Coast this week, making it seem as though a ship was hovering above and out of the water. The phenomenon, known as a superior mirage, ...

These celestial wonders can tell us a lot about the state of the atmosphere at home on Earth as well as on other planets. This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication ...

A video of a unique optical phenomenon known as a "glory" spotted from a plane has gone viral on TikTok. Heather Reedy, a 37-year-old registered nurse based in Virginia, spotted the mesmerizing sight ...

Optics is a branch of physics that involves the properties of light and its interaction with matter. Reflection, refraction and diffraction are different ways light can behave based on the conditions ...

A new study explores the behavior of photons, the elementary particles of light, as they encounter boundaries where material properties change rapidly over time. This research uncovers remarkable ...

Peter Berthelemy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond ...