Heat Distortion

[saupatel]

Hi, I just recently visited SFO for spotting and noticed a lot of heat distortion on basically any angle i looked at (which included tarmac shots, a/c on taxi to the 28L/R runways, a/c on finals). I have noticed that as the temperatures go up radiant heat increases in and around the airports. In my local airport (PHX) there is no heat distortion (or rather too minor to notice) in the cooler months. In the summer its way too obvious that there is radiant heat. What baffles me is that the temperature when i was in SFO was around 40-50 degrees F with partly cloudy skies and there were strong winds too. This heat was unpredictable too. On saturday, sunday and tuesday the phenomenon was terrible. On monday there was no distortion at all. The weather was similar all these days.

My question is, is there any way of predicting how much radiant heat there is going to be (considering the weather) at the particular area?

regards,
Saurabh

[DAIRD]

Hmm..interesting question. What's about air humidity?

[saupatel]

I believe humidity was around 60-70%.

[cf73]

I have the same problem when trying to take photos at Sydney. In the summer months it is just hopeless unless you get there early morning or late in the evening.

I was there this weekend for the first time since the weather has cooled down a lot and it was much better (20-22 degress celcius), no humidity either compared to the summer months.

[brianw999]

Heat haze occurs where rising hot air meets cooler air. The ground retains heat for longer than the air above it and, because the warmer air is less dense than the cooler air above, you see the "wobble" that destroys our pictures. This is further worsened with rising humidity that increases the density differential.

Heat haze does not necessarily happen only in a hot climate either. The crux of the matter is the difference in temperatures which can happen equally in a cold climate.

.....and if anyone tries to sell you a "heat haze filter" tell them to shove it !! Such an filter does not exist.

[Alex - Spot-This !]

.....and if anyone tries to sell you a "heat haze filter" tell them to shove it !! Such an filter does not exist.

Hahahaha reminds me that kid who was very proud to show us his "anti Heat Haze Filter" last summer here in GVA... Very funny

[tinymoon]

Hahahaha reminds me that kid who was very proud to show us his "anti Heat Haze Filter" last summer here in GVA... Very funny

Last week, I were approached by a guy at spotting location runway 23 . Who offer me a new system for Anti Heat Haze such as filter and other hood...

I said that i have In-Camera Anti Haze Heat so that i do not need any attachment to my lens. ))

[philip]

Heat haze does not necessarily happen only in a hot climate either. The crux of the matter is the difference in temperatures which can happen equally in a cold climate.

Very true, I experienced heat haze at temperatures around -15 degrees celsius. All you need is a dark runway surface and sun shining...
Wind might reduce the haze.

[Brenden S]

Try coming to Perth year round. Heat haze all the time.

[saupatel]

Brain deserves an award for the most detailed and helpful answers. That explains a lot man. thanks a bunch. Now I know not to expect much when i go to SFO for spotting next time.

Hopefully LAX will be better in August!!

I have added the "Heat haze filter" to my list of urban legends

[stef747]

.....and if anyone tries to sell you a "heat haze filter" tell them to shove it !! Such an filter does not exist.

Ha ha Brian, is that like going to the hardware store to buy a 'can of elbow grease'.

[Crunk415balla]

That is the problem with spotting from Bay Front Park-Heat distortion. The 28s are rather far away from the park...and almost everytime you click the shudder, you get back a distorted image. Though one in every so many will come out decent. Not sure exactally why this is, but I never get my hopes up there. I think in the last 3 or 4 spotting trips I took there in the past month or so, I may have gotten 6 decent shots.

Don't have big expectations when you spot there, thats for sure! Just take what you get.

[saupatel]

Yea I wish i had known that before about SFO. Oh well $600 down the drain . I got a few decent shots. Now i realize i should have gone to LAX instead.