April 15, 1912
Events around the world mark Titanic centenary AP - April 15, 2012
On the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic
Explanation: Did this mirage help sink the Titanic? The optical phenomenon called Fata Morgana can make strange shapes or a false wall of water appear above a watery horizon. When conditions are right, light reflecting off of cold water will be bent by an unusual layer of warm air above to arrive at the observer from several different angles. A conceptually comparable mirage can make a setting Sun appear strangely distorted or a distant pavement appear wet. One hundred years ago today, such a Fata Morgana mirage might have obscured real icebergs from the clear view of crew onboard the Titanic. Additional evidence for this distortion hypothesis arises from the nearby vessel SS Californian which reported sightings consistent with Fata Morgana mirages. The above Fata Morgana mirage was taken off the US Pacific coast in 2008.
Helena Beaumont-Jones of Airlie Beach, Australia,
aboard the Titanic Memorial Cruise on Saturday.
MSNBC - April 15, 2012
The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is being remembered at events across the world, including in the ship's birthplace Belfast. A memorial service was held at the North Atlantic wreck site on cruise ship MS Balmoral, which is retracing the Titanic's route. A minute's silence was held and wreaths cast into the sea at the moment it sank to honour the more than 1,500 deaths. And a plaque featuring the names of those who died was unveiled in Belfast. The ship, which at the time was the largest vessel in the world, was built in the city. The plaque, in the Titanic Memorial Garden, makes no distinction on the memorial between first-class passengers and others on board.
