Sunset mirages involving ducts

Abstract

Sunset mirages are often observed in coastal California. Cold ocean currents and warm air from inland create great conditions for temperature inversions, prerequisite required for producing mirages. Most sunset mirages seen in California are so called mock mirages. Inferior mirages are also common during winter time. On a rare occasions California sky watchers are treated by some special mirages that involve ducting, including Novaya Zemlya effect sunsets, blank strip sunsets and others.