The things that are visible but in reality do not exist. ( Archived) (22)

Iyyov: If you think about it, what you see is always real (unless you are on drugs, or dreaming). A rainbow is impossible to catch, as it is always relative to the observer's position. Thus, a rainbow can be chased over a bridge, or can chase/follow you over a bridge, but it cannot be grasped. The double-rainbow, and the extremely rare and elusive triple rainbow are all very similar. But, you can often tell the fakes on the Internet just by knowing a little physics. Then when you look at supposed rainbow photos on the Net, it is amazing how many are fake.

The mirage you spoke about is real too. Differences in air density over any heated terrain or landscape will give this effect. It is real, it is just that it looks like a really messed up telescope, or pair of binoculars.

The sky does meet the earth, in many many respects. Space is considered to be "empty", but it isn't. Sunlight impacts the earth continuously, as do meteors, comet dust, etc. But no, the little green men haven't arrived yet, but I am quite certain that they do exist (maybe not green, but different than us, and definitely extra-terrestrial).

Sunsets are real, although the sun never literally sets, just one's particular view of the sun changes, relative to time and the seasons.

Shadows exist. etc....

So, I'd say examine the things that you're talking about more closely, and you'll see more than just what meets the eye. (Stick your arm in the water, and don't be surprised when it bends in an impossible place and direction!)

Shalom,
Iyyov