Distortion Over Long Distance: Term of Art?

[PeteCress 0]

This is pure idle curiosity.

 

Here

one can see an effect that looks like water flowing over glass - distorting the image beneath as it does.

 

I am assuming this is because the cam is about a half-mile away and almost fully zoomed.

Certainly the effect is not present when it is zoomed out most of the way:

 

Also, on the occasional "good" day, the effect is largely absent.

 

If this is an atmospheric effect, can anybody put a name to it?

[ak357 0]

This is pure idle curiosity.

 

Here

one can see an effect that looks like water flowing over glass - distorting the image beneath as it does.

 

I am assuming this is because the cam is about a half-mile away and almost fully zoomed.

Certainly the effect is not present when it is zoomed out most of the way:

 

Also, on the occasional "good" day, the effect is largely absent.

 

If this is an atmospheric effect, can anybody put a name to it?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirage

[GrouchoBoucho 0]

Certainly the effect is not present when it is zoomed out most of the way:

yes it is, it's just not as noticeable. if you had a high enough resolution camera and you zoomed into the image digitally, you would see it as well.

 

If this is an atmospheric effect, can anybody put a name to it?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=heat+ripples