Temperaturbøyning

Temperaturbøyning refers to the phenomenon where the path of light is altered due to variations in air temperature. This occurs because the refractive index of air is dependent on its temperature. Warmer air is less dense and has a lower refractive index than cooler air. When light passes from a region of one temperature to another, it bends towards the region of higher refractive index.

This effect is most noticeable when there are significant temperature gradients in the atmosphere, such as over hot surfaces like roads or deserts, or between layers of air at different altitudes. In meteorology, temperaturbøyning can influence atmospheric refraction, affecting the apparent position of celestial bodies and the propagation of radio waves. It is also a key factor in the formation of mirages.

A common example is the appearance of a "wet patch" on a hot road, which is an inferior mirage. Light rays from the sky bend upwards as they pass through the hot, less dense air near the road surface, making it appear as though light is reflecting off water. Conversely, a superior mirage can make objects appear higher than they are or even elevated above the horizon. Understanding temperaturbøyning is important in fields like surveying, navigation, and atmospheric physics.