A PHOTOGRAPH appearing to show a ship “hovering above the sea” has been captured off the coast.

The optical illusion was taken by Danny Russell from the Bastion steps in Peacehaven.

Danny, who lives in Brighton, looked out to sea and saw the boat apparently hovering in the air on Good Friday.

The Argus: Photograph appearing to show a ship “hovering above the sea” has been captured off the coast of Peacehaven. Photo by Danny Russell Photograph appearing to show a ship “hovering above the sea” has been captured off the coast of Peacehaven. Photo by Danny Russell

There are differing opinions on what causes the effect, with scientists explaining it as a mirage caused by the bending of light.

In March last year, a photograph of a ship appearing to float in the sky was taken in Falmouth, Cornwall.

The Argus: A photograph appearing to show a ship “hovering above the sea” has been captured off the coast of Peacehaven. Photo by Danny Russell A photograph appearing to show a ship “hovering above the sea” has been captured off the coast of Peacehaven. Photo by Danny Russell

The image went viral with people taking to social media to speculate as to what could have caused the strange phenomena.

Meterologist David Braine told the BBC that the "superior mirage" occurred because of "special atmospheric conditions that bend light".

He said while common in the Arctic, the illusion happened only "very rarely" in the UK.

David told the broadcaster: "Superior mirages occur because of the weather condition known as a temperature inversion, where cold air lies close to the sea with warmer air above it.

"Since cold air is denser than warm air, it bends light towards the eyes of someone standing on the ground or on the coast, changing how a distant object appears."