Meanwhile, above the Greek island of Ikaria, a dazzling bright light apparition has emerged…see more below

At the edge of the day, that transformation becomes especially striking. The low angle of sunlight allows the atmosphere to play a larger role in what reaches the observer. A bright area can stretch, soften, or seem to hover. Against a darker background, even a delicate effect may appear sharply defined, giving the impression of a distinct object where light is doing the work.

Over water, the horizon adds another layer of ambiguity. It provides a clean line against which an unusual shape immediately stands out, while the air above the surface can distort the view. A distant feature may appear displaced or unfamiliar. The eye receives the altered image without receiving an explanation of the layers through which the light has passed.Stream History Documentaries
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The mind then tries to make the view intelligible. A shifting outline becomes a shape; a shape suggests an object; a change in brightness can resemble movement. That sequence happens quickly, often before there is time to compare one explanation with another. The emotional force of the sight can be real even when the impression of a hovering presence comes from the way perception organizes light.