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Iceblink is a white light seen near the 
Iceblink is a white light seen near the horizon
The horizon is the apparent curve that separates the surface of a celestial body from its sky when viewed from the perspective of an observer on or near the surface of the relevant body. This curve divides all viewing directions based on whethe ...
, especially on the underside of low clouds, resulting from reflection Reflection or reflexion may refer to:
Science and technology
* Reflection (physics), a common wave phenomenon
** Specular reflection, mirror-like reflection of waves from a surface
*** Mirror image, a reflection in a mirror or in water
** Diffuse r ...
of light off an ice field
An ice field (also spelled icefield) is a mass of interconnected valley glaciers (also called mountain glaciers or alpine glaciers) on a mountain mass with protruding rock ridges or summits. They are often found in the colder climates and high ...
immediately beyond. The iceblink was used by both Inuit
Inuit (singular: Inuk) are a group of culturally and historically similar Indigenous peoples traditionally inhabiting the Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America and Russia, including Greenland, Labrador, Quebec, Nunavut, the Northwe ...
and explorers looking for the Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage (NWP) is the sea lane between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, near the northern coast of North America via waterways through the Arctic Archipelago of Canada. The eastern route along the Arctic ...
to help them navigate safely as it indicates ice beyond the horizon. Its inverse phenomenon is water sky. The iceblink can be observed in both polar regions, being observed by Inuit in the Arctic
The Arctic (; . ) is the polar regions of Earth, polar region of Earth that surrounds the North Pole, lying within the Arctic Circle. The Arctic region, from the IERS Reference Meridian travelling east, consists of parts of northern Norway ( ...
and by many expeditions to Antarctica
Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. ...
, including both the James Ross and Terra Nova expeditions.
Iceblink has been misinterpreted by navigators as mountains. John Ross made this error when searching for the Northwest Passage in 1818. Whilst in the Lancaster Sound
Lancaster Sound () is a body of water in the Qikiqtaaluk Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is located between Devon Island and Baffin Island, forming the eastern entrance to the Parry Channel and the Northwest Passage. East of the sound lies Baffin ...
, he misidentified iceblink as a new "mountain range" that he named the Croker Mountains, with the ensuing disagreements with his officers and the wider controversy costing him much of his reputation.
References