By Tim Binnall
A man visiting a coastal community in England could not believe his eyes when he looked out at the water and spotted what appeared to be a container ship floating in the air. According to a local media report, Martin Stroud managed to snap a photo of the wondrous vision (which can be seen below) when it appeared before him during a trip to the village of Coverack. Later sharing the image on social media, the tourist marveled that the vessel "almost looks like it’s flying!"
Of course, Stroud did not witness a container ship that had suddenly begun to levitate, but rather a 'false horizon' optical illusion wherein the color of the water beneath it matched the sky above and the more discernible portion of the sea in the foreground made the boat appear to be floating in the sky. This is not to be confused with the phenomenon known as Fata Morgana, in which a temperature inversion and hazy conditions can create the appearance of 'cloud cities' and other aerial oddities. An eerily similar 'floating' ship was photographed around the same area of coastal Britain last year, although in that instance the strange scene was said to be altogether different type of illusion known as a 'superior mirage.'