A mirage is an optical illusion that occurs due to the refraction of light rays. It is a phenomenon where light is bent due to the difference in temperature between the ground and the air above it, creating the illusion of water or distant objects that aren't really there.
A mirage is typically seen in hot conditions when the ground is heated by the sun, causing the air close to the ground to be much warmer than the air above it. This temperature gradient causes light rays to bend, and when they reach our eyes, they appear to come from a different location, creating an illusion of water or objects.
One common example is when driving on a hot road in a desert, the road appears to be covered in water, even though there is no water present. This is a mirage caused by the hot air and ground temperature differences.