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

This is part of what makes an atmospheric display so compelling. It sits between what is physically happening and what the observer feels certain they are seeing. The glow may seem solid, yet its apparent edges depend on changing conditions. It may appear purposeful, yet the motion can belong to air and illumination rather than to anything traveling through the sky.Learn Quantum Physics

Above Ikaria, the fascination lies in that meeting of landscape, atmosphere, and perception. The island and the surrounding sea provide the setting, but light supplies the spectacle. Understanding the effect does not have to diminish its beauty. It can make the scene more remarkable by revealing how much the natural world can do with elements that are present around us every day. The extraordinary impression remains, even when its explanation begins with the ordinary behavior of light.