Omega Sunrise Observed from Norfolk, U. K.

Photographer: Juned PatelSummary Author: Juned PatelI was fortunate to be able to witness the occurrence of the above omega stage sunrise on June 5, 2024, from Norfolk, U.K. This phenomenon is called an omega sunrise because it resembles the Greek letter omega (Ω). The actual position of the Sun is represented by the disk at the top. The bottom disk, the one that looks like the Greek letter, is an inverted image of the Sun caused by the effects of refraction of sunlight through a layer of warmer, less dense air just above the water's surface. Thus, it's a type of optical illusion referred to as an inferior mirage since the inverted Sun appears below the real Sun. The same physical process is responsible for the wet road illusion, often seen on hot summer days.

Norfolk, U. K. Coordinates: 52.6140, 0.8864

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